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
To heighten the splenetick humour she was in, Mr. Goodman, who, having
been taken up with his own affairs, had not mentioned Mr. Trueworth to
her for some days, happened this morning, as they sat at breakfast, to
ask her how the courtship of that gentleman went on, and whether there
was like to be a wedding or not. Perceiving she blushed, hung down her
head, and made no answer, 'Nay, nay,' said he, 'I told you long ago I
would not interfere in these matters; and have less reason now than ever
to do so, as your eldest brother is in town, and who is doubtless
capable of advising you for the best.' Miss Betsy was in a good deal of
confusion; she knew not as yet whether it would be proper for her to
acquaint Mr. Goodman with what had passed between Mr. Trueworth and
herself, or to be silent on that head, till she should see what a little
time might bring about. As she was thinking in what manner she should
reply, Mr. Goodman's lawyer, luckily for her relief, came in, and put an
end to a discourse which, in the present situation of her mind, she was
very unfit to bear a part in.
But, as if this was to be a day of continued admonitions to Miss Betsy,
she was no sooner dressed, and ready to quit her chamber, than she heard
Miss Mabel's voice upon the stairs. As that young lady was not
accustomed to make her any morning visits, she was a little surprized;
she ran, however, to meet her, saying, 'This is a favour I did not
expect, and therefore have the more cause to thank you.'--'I do not
know,' replied the other, as she entered the room, 'whether you will
think I deserve thanks or no, when you hear the business that brought
me; for I assure you I am come only to chide you.'--'I think,' said Miss
Betsy, with a sigh, 'that all the world takes the liberty of doing so
with me! but, pray, my dear,' continued she, 'how am I so unhappy as to
deserve it from you?'
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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