Barford Abbey by Susannah Minific Gunning
page 14 of 205 (06%)
page 14 of 205 (06%)
|
manners are still more engaging.--This I look upon to be the natural
consequence of a mind illumin'd with uncommon understanding, sweetness, and refinement. A short time before dinner the chaplain made his appearance,--a venerable old man, with hair white as snow:--what renders his figure to be completely venerated, is the loss of sight.--Her Ladyship rising from her seat, led me towards him: Mr. Watson, said she, I am going to introduce a lady whose _brightest charms_ will soon be visible to you.--The best man in the world! whisper'd she, putting my hand in his;--which hand I could not avoid putting to my lips.--_Thank_ you, Miss Warley, said her Ladyship, _we all_ revere this gentleman.--Mr. Watson was affected, some drops stole from their dark prisons, and he bless'd me as if I had been his daughter:--my pleasure was exquisite,--it seem'd as if I had receiv'd the benediction of an angel. Our subjects turn'd more on the celestial than the terrestrial, till dinner was serv'd up,--when I found that good _knight_ which has been so long banish'd to the side-board, replac'd in his original station. How different _this table_ from many others! where genteel sprightly conversations are shut out; _where_ such as cannot feast their senses on the genius of a _cook_, must rise unsatisfied. A similitude of manners between your _Ladyship_ and _Lady Powis_, particularly in doing the honours of the table, struck me so much, that I once or twice call'd her _Lady Mary_.--Pray, Miss Warley, ask'd she, who is this Lady Mary? What could occasion her confusion!--what could occasion the confusion of |
|