Lord Munster made proposals to Mr Burt that very day, never doubting but
that Hymen would soon rekindle his _torch_.--But the same principles
determined him respecting his daughter, which had influenced him in
his own affairs. He thanked Lord Munster for the honor he intended
him, which he should acquaint her of--but that in an affair in which
her happiness for life was so immediately concerned, he must forgive
his interfering further. When he acquainted her with it; instead of
enforcing the acceptance of the honor proposed to her, he was at great
pains to precaution her, against many disagreeable consequences of such
an unequal alliance, both in age and condition, lest she should be
dazzled by wealth or titles, to sacrifice her inclinations!
Miss Burt, with unfeigned concern, was greatly chagrined to hear of Lord
Munster's proposals: she, therefore, with great warmth, declared herself
totally unfit, for such an exalted station. 'I can neither,' said she,
'adopt the virtues, or the vices of the great: the former are too
conspicuous, the other too obscure. A round of peaceable employments,
proper to satisfy the mind, and to soothe the heart, is the kind of
happiness for which I find myself inclined.'
'With such principles and inclinations, I could not be happy in the
great world, where the general way of life is solely calculated, to
flatter the senses, and where a superior genius is contemned, or at
least only permitted to exhibit itself in lively sallies, or smart
repartees.'
Mr Burt informed the earl of his daughter's sentiments. But his
lordship's self-love prevailed so far as to render it impossible to
conceive that _he could be refused_. He, therefore, made preparations
for his nuptials, and sent for his daughter home to be present on that
occasion. Lord Munster had taken the same pains on Lady Frances's
education, as her brother's. Mrs Norden, a distant relation, had the
entire charge of her. She resided in London until Lady Frances was
fourteen years old: at that time she accompanied her to Rome, where she
had the best masters, and where Santerello improved her taste in music.
After remaining three years at Rome, they went to Paris, from which
they were just returned at the period above mentioned. Lord Munster was
greatly charmed, both with the personal, and acquired perfections of his
daughter: and professed himself much indebted to Mrs Norden, for the
very great attention she had paid to her.
The day after Lady Frances's arrival, she went to Mr Burt's to pay her
respects to her intended mother-in-law.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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