I am highly sensible to the honour of your partiality, which I
regret it is not possible for me to deserve. Be not, therefore,
offended, and still less suffer yourself to be afflicted, when I
confess I have only my poor thanks to offer, and poor esteem to
return, for your unmerited goodness. Dwell not, sir, upon this
disappointment, but receive my best wishes for your restored
happiness; for never can I forget a distinction to which I have so
little claim. Believe me,
Sir,
Your very much obliged,
and most grateful humble servant,
EUGENIA TYROLD.
Mr. Tyrold, who delighted to see how completely, in her studies with Dr.
Orkborne, she had escaped any pedantry or affectation, and even
preserved all the native humility of her artless character, returned her
the letter with an affectionate embrace, and told her he could desire no
alteration but that of omitting the word _grateful_ at the conclusion.
Mrs. Tyrold was far less satisfied. She wished it to be completely
re-written; protesting, that a man who, in all probability, was a mere
fortune-hunter, would infer from so gentle a dismission encouragement
rather than repulse.
Sir Hugh said there was one thing only he desired to have added, which
was a hint of a pre-engagement with a relation of her own.
Eugenia, at this, coloured and retreated; and Mrs. Tyrold reminded the
baronet, with some displeasure, of his promise to guard the secret of
his project. Sir Hugh, a little disturbed, said it never broke out from
him but by accident, which he would take care should never get the upper
hand again. He would not, however, consent to have the letter altered,
which he said would be an affront to the learning of Eugenia, unless it
were done by Dr. Orkborne himself, who, being her master, had a right to
correct her first penmanship.
Dr. Orkborne, being called upon, slightly glanced his eye over the
letter, but made no emendation, saying: 'I believe it will do very
sufficiently; but I have only concerned myself with the progress of Miss
Eugenia in the Greek and Latin languages; any body can teach her
English.'