If you go back to Lady Mary's dressing-room, you will find nobody _there_:--but give a peep into the dining-parlour, and you will see us just set down at dinner;--_all_ smiling,--_all_ happy;--an inexhaustible fountain of pleasure in every breast. I will go down to Slope Hall;--give Lady Dorothy a hint that she has it now in her power to make one man happy;--_a hint_ I believe she never had before.--A snug twenty thousand added to my present fortune,--the hand of Lady Elizabeth,--and then, Risby, get hold of my skirts, and you mount with me. Next Tuesday prepare, as governor of the castle, for a warm siege.--_Such_ a battery of eyes,--_such_ bundles of darts,--_such_ stores of smiles,--_such_ a train of innocence will be laid before the walls, as never was withstood!--No; I shall see you _cap-à-pée_ open the gates to the besiegers.--Away goes my pen.--I write no more positively. MOLESWORTH. LETTER XLIII. Miss DELVES to Mrs. DELVES. _Barford Abbey_. Are you well, Madam? Is my dear father well? Tell me you are, and never was so happy a creature as your daughter. I tremble with pleasure,--with joy,--with delight:--but I _must_--my duty, my affection, every thing says I _must_ sit down to write.--You did not see how we were marshall'd at setting out:--I wish you could have got up early enough:--never was there such joyous party! All in Lady Mary's dining-room by seven;--the fine equipages at the door;--servants attending in rich new liveries, to the number of twenty;--Lord Darcey and his heavenly bride that is to be,--smiling on each other,--smiling on all around;--Lady Mary Sutton--yes, _she_ is heavenly _too_;--I believe I was the only earthly creature amongst them;--Lord and Lady Hampstead,--the angelic Ladies Elizabeth and Sophia,--Mr. Molesworth,--the generous, friendly, open-hearted Mr. Molesworth,--Lord Hallum.--But why mention him last?--Because, Bessy, I suppose he was _last_ in your thoughts.--Dear Madam, how can you think so? In Lady Mary's coach went her Ladyship, Lord Darcey, Mrs. and Miss Powis:--in Lord Hampstead's, his Lordship, Lady Hampstead, Lady Elizabeth, and Mr. Molesworth:--in Lord Darcey's, Lady Sophia, Mr. Powis, Lord Hallum, and your little _good-for-nothing_:--in Mr. Powis's, the women-servants.--We lay fifty miles short of the Abbey, and the next evening reach'd it at seven. We reach'd Barford Abbey, I say--but what shall I say _now?_--I cannot do justice to what I have seen of duty,--of affection,--of joy,--of hospitality.--Do, dear Madam, persuade my father to purchase a house in _this_ neighbourhood.