The History of Miss Betsy ThoughtlessHaywood, Eliza Fowler
General
The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless
Haywood, Eliza Fowler
Abused wives -- Fiction; Bildungsromans; Didactic fiction; England -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction
P. S. The favour of one line, to let me know whether I may expect
the blessing I implore, will add to the bounty of it. The same hand
that brings you this, will also deliver your commands to yours as
above.'
Miss Betsy read this letter several times, and, the oftener she did so,
the more she saw into the soul of him that sent it. How wide the
difference between this and that she received from Gayland! 'Tis true,
they both desired a meeting, each made the same request; but the manner
in which the former was asked, and the end proposed by the grant of it,
she easily perceived were as distant as heaven and hell. She called to
mind the great respect he had always treated her with; she was convinced
both of his honour and sincerity, and thought something was due from her
on that account. In fine, after deliberating a little within herself,
she resolved to write to him in these terms--
'Sir,
Though it is my fixed determination to encourage the addresses of
no man whatever, without the approbation of my guardians, yet I
think myself too much obliged to the affection you have expressed
for me, to refuse you a favour of so trifling a nature as that you
have taken the pains to ask. I will be at the place you mention
to-morrow, some time in the forenoon; but desire you will expect
nothing from it but a last farewel, which you have promised to be
contented with. Till then, adieu.'
After finishing this little billet, she called the maid, whom Saving had
made his confidante, into the chamber, and asked her, when she expected
he would come for an answer. To which the other replied, that he had
appointed her to meet him at the corner of the street very early in the
morning, before any of the windows were open. 'Well, then,' said Miss
Betsy, smiling, and putting the letter into her hands, 'give him this. I
do it for your sake, Nanny; for, I suppose, you will have a double fee
on the delivery.'--'The gentleman is too much in love,' answered she,
'not to be grateful.'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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