Lady Towers said, My dear neighbour, you want no countenance; your own
merit is sufficient. I had a slight cold, that kept me at home in the
morning; but I heard you so much talked of, and praised, that I resolved
not to stay away in the afternoon; and I join in the joy every one gives
you. She turned to my master, and said, You are a sly thief, as I always
thought you. Where have you stolen this lady? And now, how barbarous is
it, thus unawares, in a manner, to bring her here upon us, to mortify
and eclipse us all?--You are very kind, madam, said he, that you and all
my worthy neighbours see with my eyes. But had I not known she had so
much excellency of mind and behaviour, as would strike every body in her
favour at first sight, I should not have dared to class her with such of
my worthy neighbours, as now so kindly congratulate us both.
I own, said she, softly, I was one of your censurers; but I never liked
you so well in my life, as for this action, now I see how capable your
bride is of giving distinction to any condition.--And, coming to me, My
dear neighbour, said she, excuse me for having but in my thought, the
remembrance that I have seen you formerly, when, by your sweet air and
easy deportment, you so much surpass us all, and give credit to your
present happy condition. Dear good madam, said I, how shall I suitably return my acknowledgments!
But it will never be a pain to me to look back upon my former days,
now I have the kind allowance and example of so many worthy ladies to
support me in the honours to which the most generous of men has raised
me. Sweetly said! she was pleased to say. If I was in another place, I would
kiss you for that answer. Oh! happy, happy Mr. B----! said she to my
master; what reputation have you not brought upon your judgment! I
won't be long before I see you, added she, I'll assure you, if I come by
myself. That shall be your own fault, madam, said Mrs. Brooks.
And so they took leave; and I gave my hand to my dear master, and said,
How happy have you made me, generous sir!--And the dean, who had just
come up, heard me, and said, And how happy you have made your spouse,
I'll venture to pronounce, is hard to say, from what I observe of you
both. I courtesied, and blushed, not thinking any body heard me. And my
master telling him he should be glad of the honour of a visit from him;
he said, He would pay his respects to us the first opportunity, and
bring his wife and daughter to attend me. I said, That was doubly kind;
and I should be very proud of cultivating so worthy an acquaintance. I
thanked him for his kind discourse; and he thanked me for my attention,
which he called exemplary: and so my dear master handed me into the
chariot; and we were carried home, both happy, and both pleased, thank
God. Mr. Martin came in the evening, with another gentleman, his friend, one
Mr. Dormer; and he entertained us with the favourable opinion, he said,
every one had of me, and of the choice my good benefactor had made.