Mrs Dorothea with great good-humour laughed at her niece's sallies,
saying, 'You remember what Martial says;
'Fain would kind Paula wed me if she could:
I won't, she's old; if older yet, I would.'
'But seriously, niece (said she) you will never make a choice that I
shall so much approve of--he has so much wit.'
Miss Bingley replied, that all the credit he has for wit is owing to
the gratification he gives to others ill-nature: and said she would be
very happy to accommodate herself to her aunt's wishes; but was not upon
such a religious strain, and so desirous of canonization hereafter (if
sufferings can make a saint) as to marry a man of his character, that
she might have her mortifications and punishments in this life: but
at the same time would faithfully promise never to marry any man she
disapproved of.
There were great rejoicings for some weeks at Munster-house:--at which
time Lord and Lady Darnley set out for their estate in Dorsetshire,
and Lady Eliza accompanied Lord Munster to London. As a correspondence
commenced at this period between the parties I have already introduced
to the reader, the sequel of this history will appear from their
letters. I shall only observe, that Lord Munster's figure was remarkably
agreeable, his address engaging; he first attracted, and then commanded
the admiration of all who knew him. On the slightest acquaintance with
him, a most exact regard to all the proprieties and decencies of life
were observable in his conduct; and such an evident desire to oblige,
and to make all about him easy, as became a good mind and a liberal
education. An agreeable chearfulness made his conversation as lively
and agreeable as it was useful and instructing. But the discerning eye
of friendship could discover that he was not happy, and that delicacy
to the feelings of his friends restrained him from giving way to an
uneasiness, which it was too apparent he laboured under. His general
behaviour bore the genuine stamp of true politeness, the result of an
overflowing humanity and benevolence of heart. Such qualities very
justly and forcibly recommend, lying obvious to almost every observer;
but to the more discerning, a nearer view of him quickly discovered
endowments far above the common standard. He had, in truth, endowments
of mind to have honored any station.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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