He ordered Jonathan to let the evening be passed merrily, but wisely, as
he said, with what every one liked, whether wine or October.
He was pleased afterwards to lead me up stairs, and gave me possession
of my lady's dressing-room and cabinet, and her fine repeating-watch and
equipage; and, in short, of a complete set of diamonds, that were his
good mother's; as also of the two pair of diamond ear-rings, the
two diamond rings, and diamond necklace, he mentioned in his naughty
articles, which her ladyship had intended for presents to Miss Tomlins,
a rich heiress, that was proposed for his wife, when he was just come
from his travels; but which went off, after all was agreed upon on both
the friends' sides, because he approved not her conversation; and she
had, as he told his mother, too masculine an air; and he never could
be brought to see her but once, though the lady liked him very well.
He presented me also with her ladyship's books, pictures, linen, laces,
etc. that were in her apartments; and bid me call those apartments mine.
O give me, my good God! humility and gratitude. Sunday night.
This day, as matters could not be ready for our appearance at a better
place, we staid at home; and my dear master employed himself a good deal
in his library: And I have been taken up pretty much, I hope, as I ought
to be, in thankfulness, prayer and meditation, in my newly-presented
closet And I hope God will be pleased to give a blessing to me; for
I have the pleasure to think I am not puffed up with this great
alteration; and yet am I not wanting to look upon all these favours
and blessings in the light wherein I ought to receive them, both at the
hands of Heaven, and my dear benefactor.
We dined together with great pleasure; and I had, in every word and
action, all the instances of kindness and affection that the most
indulged heart could wish. He said he would return to his closet again;
and at five o'clock would come and take a walk with me in the garden:
And so retired as soon as he had dined, and I went up to mine. About six, he was pleased to come up to me, and said, Now, my dear, I
will attend you for a little walk in the garden; and I gave him my hand
with great pleasure. This garden is much better cultivated than the Lincolnshire one; but
that is larger, and has nobler walks in it; and yet there is a pretty
canal in this, and a fountain and cascade. We had a deal of sweet
conversation as we walked; and, after we had taken a turn round, I bent
towards the little garden; and when I came near the summer-house, took
the opportunity to slip from him, and just whipt up the steps of this
once frightful place, and kneeled down, and said, I bless thee, O God!
for my escapes, and for thy mercies! O let me always possess a grateful,
humble heart! and I whipt down again and joined him; and he hardly
missed me. Several of the neighbouring gentry sent their compliments to him on his
return, but not a word about his marriage; particularly Mr. Arthur, Mr.
Towers, Mr. Brooks, and Mr. Martin of the Grove. Monday.