I had a good deal of employment in choosing patterns for my new clothes.
He thought nothing too good; but I thought every thing I saw was; and he
was so kind to pick out six of the richest for me to choose three suits
out of, saying, We would furnish ourselves with more in town, when we
went thither. One was white, flowered with silver most richly; and he
was pleased to say, that, as I was a bride, I should make my appearance
in that the following Sunday. And so we shall have in two or three days,
from several places, nothing but mantua-makers and tailors at work.
Bless me! what a chargeable and what a worthless hussy I am to the dear
gentleman!--But his fortune and station require a great deal of it;
and his value for me will not let him do less, than if he had married a
fortune equal to his own: and then, as he says, it would be a reflection
upon him, if he did.--And so I doubt it will be, as it is: For either
way the world will have something to say. He made me also choose some
very fine laces, and linen; and has sent a message on purpose, with his
orders, to hasten all down, what can be done in town, as the millinery
matters, etc. to be completed there, and sent by particular messengers,
as done. All to be here, and finished by Saturday afternoon, without
fail.
I sent away John this morning, with some more of my papers to you, and
with the few he will give you separate. My desire is, that you will send
me all the papers you have done with, that I may keep my word with Lady
Davers; to beg the continuance of your prayers and blessings; to hope
you will give me your answer about my dear benefactor's proposal of
the Kentish farm; to beg you to buy, two suits of clothes each; of the
finest cloth for you, my dear father; and of a creditable silk for my
dear mother; and good linen, and every thing answerable; and that you
will, as my best friend bid me say, let us see you here as soon as
possible; and he will have his chariot come for you, when you tell John
the day. Oh! how I long to see you both, my dear good parents, and to
share with you my felicities!
You will have, I'm sure, the goodness to go to all your creditors, which
are chiefly those of my poor unhappy brothers, and get an account of all
you are bound for; and every one shall be paid to the utmost farthing,
and interest besides, though some of them have been very cruel
and unrelenting.--But they are entitled to their own, and shall be
thankfully paid. Now I think of it, John shall take my papers down to this place; that
you may have something to amuse you, of your dear child's, instead of
those you part with; and I will continue writing till I am settled, and
you are determined; and then I shall apply myself to the duties of the
family, in order to become as useful to my dear benefactor, as my small
abilities will let me. If you think a couple of guineas will be of use to Mrs. Mumford, who,
I doubt, has not much aforehand, pray give them to her, from me, (and
I will return them to you,) as for a pair of gloves on my nuptials: And
look through your poor acquaintances and neighbours, and let me have a
list of such honest industrious poor, as may be true objects of charity,
and have no other assistance; particularly such as are blind, lame,
or sickly, with their several cases; and also such poor families and
housekeepers as are reduced by misfortunes, as ours was, and where
a great number of children may keep them from rising to a state of
tolerable comfort: And I will choose as well as I can; for I long to
be making a beginning, with the kind quarterly benevolence my dear good
benefactor has bestowed upon me for such good purposes.