with a change of manners to her since she had been in Bath, or at
least of late. Unlucky me! that my notice should be of such
consequence, and my manners so bad! She was so well disposed, and so
reasonable, that I soon forgave her, and made this engagement with her
in proof of it. She is really an agreeable girl, so I think I may
like her; and her great want of a companion at home, which may well
make any tolerable acquaintance important to her, gives her another
claim on my attention. I shall endeavour as much as possible to keep
my intimacies in their proper place, and prevent their clashing. Among
so many friends, it will be well if I do not get into a scrape; and
now here is Miss Blashford come. I should have gone distracted if the
Bullers had staid . . . . When I tell you I have been visiting a
countess this morning, you will immediately, with great justice, but
no truth, guess it to be Lady Roden. No: it is Lady Leven, the mother
of Lord Balgonie. On receiving a message from Lord and Lady Leven
through the Mackays, declaring their intention of waiting on us, we
thought it right to go to them. I hope we have not done too much, but
the friends and admirers of Charles must be attended to. They seem
very reasonable, good sort of people, very civil, and full of his
praise. {80} We were shewn at first into an empty drawing-room, and
presently in came his lordship, not knowing who we were, to apologise
for the servant's mistake, and to say himself what was untrue, that
Lady Leven was not within. He is a tall gentlemanlike looking man,
with spectacles, and rather deaf. After sitting with him ten minutes
we walked away; but Lady Leven coming out of the dining parlour as we
passed the door, we were obliged to attend her back to it, and pay our
visit over again. She is a stout woman, with a very handsome face. By
this means we had the pleasure of hearing Charles's praises twice
over. They think themselves excessively obliged to him, and estimate
him so highly as to wish Lord Balgonie, when he is quite recovered, to