Madam, said I, they are the honestest, the lovingest, and the most
conscientious couple breathing. They once lived creditably; and brought
up a great family, of which I am the youngest; but had misfortunes,
through their doing beyond their power for two unhappy brothers, who are
both dead, and whose debts they stood bound for; and so became reduced,
and, by harsh creditors, (where most of the debts were, not of their own
contracting,) turned out of all; and having, without success, tried to
set up a little country-school; (for my father understood a little of
accounts, and wrote a pretty good hand;) forced to take to hard labour;
but honest all the time; contented; never repining; and loving to one
another; and, in the midst of their poverty and disappointments, above
all temptation; and all their fear was, that I should be wicked, and
yield to temptation for the sake of worldly riches and to God's grace,
and their good lessons, and those I imbibed from my dear good lady,
your ladyship's mother, it is that I owe the preservation of my
innocence,--and the happy station I am exalted to.
She was pleased to kiss me again, and said, There is such a noble
simplicity in thy story, such an honest artlessness in thy mind, and
such a sweet humility in thy deportment, notwithstanding thy present
station, that I believe I shall be forced to love thee, whether I will
or not: and the sight of your papers, I dare say, will crown the work;
will disarm my pride, banish my resentment on Lady Betty's account, and
justify my brother's conduct; and, at the same time, redound to your own
everlasting honour, as well as to the credit of our sex: and so I make
no doubt but my brother will let me see them.
Worden, said my lady, I can say any thing before you; and you will take
no notice of our conversation; but I see you are much touched with it:
Did you ever hear any thing prettier, more unaffected, sincere, free,
easy?--No, never, madam, answered she, in my life; and it is a great
pleasure to see so happy a reconciliation taking place, where there is
so much merit. I said, I have discovered so much prudence in Mrs. Worden, that, as well
for that, as for the confidence your ladyship places in her, I have made
no scruple of speaking my mind freely before her; and of blaming my
dear master while he was blameworthy, as well as acknowledging his
transcendent goodness to me since; which, I am sure, exceeds all I can
ever deserve. May be not, said my lady; I hope you'll be very happy in
one another; and I'll now rise, and tell him my thoughts, and ask him
to let me have the reading of your papers; for I promise myself much
pleasure in them; and shall not grudge a journey and a visit to you, to
the other house, to fetch them.