The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless

Name: The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless
Author: Haywood, Eliza Fowler

Haywood, Eliza Fowler

Abused wives -- Fiction; Bildungsromans; Didactic fiction; England -- Fiction; Married women -- Fiction

The careless air with which he spoke these words, stung Miss Betsy to
the quick; she took no notice, however, how much she was piqued at them,
but replied, that the whole affair was mere suggestion; that it was
true, indeed, she had for some time received the addresses of a
gentleman recommended by her brother Frank; that he, and some other of
her friends, were very much for the match, and she supposed had spoke of
it as a thing concluded on, because they wished it to be so: but, for
her own part, she never had as yet entertained one serious thought about
the matter; and, at present, was far from having any disposition to
become a wife; 'So that,' continued she, 'if I am doomed to stay in Mr.
Goodman's house, till I am relieved that way, it is very probable I may
be moped to death, and married to my grave.'

'Where is the necessity for that?' said he. 'Are there not places enough
in town, where you may find good company to board or lodge
with?'--'Doubtless there are many such, Sir,' replied she, with some
spirit; 'and if I am so unhappy as not to have any friend so kind to
make me an invitation, shall be obliged to seek an asylum amongst
strangers.'

Mr. Thoughtless looked a little confounded at these words: he had seen,
from the beginning of her discourse, the aim to which it tended; and, as
he had his own reasons for not complying with her desire, would not seem
to understand her; but she now spoke too plain, and he was somewhat at a
loss what answer to make, so as not to give her any cause of accusing
his want of affection, and at the same time put her off from expecting
he would agree to what she would have him, in this point; when,
fortunately for his relief, a letter, just brought by the post, was
presented to Miss Betsy. 'From L----e!' said she, as soon as she took it
into her hand. 'From brother Frank, then, I suppose?' cried he. 'No,'
answered she, 'from Lady Trusty; you will excuse me, brother, while I
look over the contents.' She broke it open while she was speaking, and
read to herself as follows.

     'To Miss Betsy Thoughtless.

     My dear Miss Betsy,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

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

The careless air with which he spoke these words, stung Miss Betsy to
the quick; she took no notice, however, how much she was piqued at them,
but replied, that the whole affair was mere suggestion; that it was
true, indeed, she had for some time received the addresses of a
gentleman recommended by her brother Frank; that he, and some other of
her friends, were very much for the match, and she supposed had spoke of
it as a thing concluded on, because they wished it to be so: but, for
her own part, she never had as yet entertained one serious thought about
the matter; and, at present, was far from having any disposition to
become a wife; 'So that,' continued she, 'if I am doomed to stay in Mr.
Goodman's house, till I am relieved that way, it is very probable I may
be moped to death, and married to my grave.'

'Where is the necessity for that?' said he. 'Are there not places enough
in town, where you may find good company to board or lodge
with?'--'Doubtless there are many such, Sir,' replied she, with some
spirit; 'and if I am so unhappy as not to have any friend so kind to
make me an invitation, shall be obliged to seek an asylum amongst
strangers.'

Mr. Thoughtless looked a little confounded at these words: he had seen,
from the beginning of her discourse, the aim to which it tended; and, as
he had his own reasons for not complying with her desire, would not seem
to understand her; but she now spoke too plain, and he was somewhat at a
loss what answer to make, so as not to give her any cause of accusing
his want of affection, and at the same time put her off from expecting
he would agree to what she would have him, in this point; when,
fortunately for his relief, a letter, just brought by the post, was
presented to Miss Betsy. 'From L----e!' said she, as soon as she took it
into her hand. 'From brother Frank, then, I suppose?' cried he. 'No,'
answered she, 'from Lady Trusty; you will excuse me, brother, while I
look over the contents.' She broke it open while she was speaking, and
read to herself as follows.

     'To Miss Betsy Thoughtless.

     My dear Miss Betsy,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless

The History of Miss Betsy Thoughtless

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