At last, in came the honest man. He does not read this, and so cannot take exceptions, and I hope you will not, at the word honest.
So lordly! so stiff! so solemn!—Upon my word!—Had it not been Sunday, I would have gone to my harpsichord directly. He bowed to Lord and Lady L——, and to Emily, very obligingly; to me he nodded.—I nodded again; but, like a good-natured fool, smiled. He stalked to the chimney; turned his back towards it, buttoned up his mouth, held up his glowing face, as if he were disposed to crow; yet had not won the battle.—One hand in his bosom; the other under the skirt of his waistcoat, and his posture firmer than his mind.—Yet was my heart so devoid of malice, that I thought his attitude very genteel; and, had we not been man and wife, agreeable.
We hoped to have found your lordship at home, said Lord L——, or we should not have dined here.
If Lord G—— is as polite a husband as a man, said I, he will not thank your lordship for this compliment to his wife.
Lord G—— swelled, and reared himself up. His complexion, which was before in a glow, was heightened.
Poor man! thought I.—But why should my tender heart pity obstinate people?—Yet I could not help being dutiful.—Have you dined, my lord? said I, with a sweet smile, and very courteous.
He stalked to the window, and never a word answered he.
Pray, Lady L——, be so good as to ask my Lord G—— if he has dined?
Was not this very condescending, on such a behaviour?
Lady L—— asked him; and as gently-voiced as if she were asking the same question of her own lord. Lady L—— is a kind-hearted soul, Harriet. She is my sister.
I have not, madam, to Lady L——, turning rudely from me, and, not very civilly, from her. Ah! thought I, these men! The more they are courted —Wretches! to find their consequence in a woman's meekness—Yet, I could not forbear shewing mine.—Nature, Harriet! Who can resist constitution?