I disclaimed believing this; but he persisted in a.s.serting it, adding "For he said if I had spoke he would come."
"He is very condescending," cried I, "but I am satisfied he would not think of it at all, if you did not put it in his head."
"Upon my honour, You are mistaken; we talk just as much of it down there as up here."
"you would much oblige me if you would not talk of it,- neither there nor here."
"Let me end it, then, by bringing him at once!"
"No, no, leave us both alone: he has his resources and his engagements as much as I have; we both are best as we now are."
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"But what can he say, ma"am? Consider his confusion and disgrace!
It is well known, in the world, the private life that the royal family live at Windsor, and who are the attendants that belong to them; and when Colonel Wellbred quits his waiting--three months"
waiting and is asked how he likes Miss Burney, he must answer he has never seen her! And what, ma"am, has Colonel Wellbred done to merit such a mortification?"
It was impossible not to laugh at such a statement of the case; and again he requested to bring him directly. "One quarter of an hour will content me ; I only wish to introduce him--for the sake of his credit in the world; and when once you have met, you need meet no more; no consequences whatever need be drawn to the detriment of your solitude."
I begged him to desist, and let us both rest.
"But have you, yourself, ma"am, no curiosity--no desire to see Colonel Wellbred?"
"None in the world."
"If, then, hereafter you admit any other equerry--"
"No, no, I intend to carry the new construction throughout."
"Or if you suffer anyone else to bring you Colonel Wellbred."
"Depend upon it I have no such intention."
"But if any other more eloquent man prevails--"
" Be a.s.sured there is no danger."
"Will you, at least, promise I shall be present at the meet--?"
" There will be no meeting."
"You are certainly, then, afraid of him?"
I denied this, and, hearing the king"s supper called, he took his leave ; though not before I very seriously told him that, however amusing all this might be as pure badinage, I Should be very earnestly vexed if he took any steps in the matter without my consent.
COLONEL WELLBRED IS RECEIVED AT TEA.
Feb. 2.-MISS Planta came to tea, and we went together to the eating-parlour, which we found quite empty. Mr. Turbulent"s studious table was all deserted, and his books laid waste; but in a very few minutes he entered again, with his arms spread wide, his face all glee, and his voice all triumph, calling out,
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"Mr. Smelt and Colonel Wellbred desire leave to wait upon miss Burney to tea!"
A little provoked at this determined victory over my will and my wish, I remained silent,- but Miss Planta broke forth into open upbraidings:
"Upon my word, Mr. Turbulent, this is really abominable it is all your own doing--and if I was Miss Burney I would not bear it!"
and much more, till he fairly gave her to understand she had nothing to do with the matter.
Then, turning to me, "What am I to say, ma"am? am I to tell Colonel Wellbred you hesitate?" He protested he came upon the emba.s.sy fairly employed.
"Not fairly, I am sure, Mr. Turbulent The whole is a device and contrivance of your own! Colonel Wellbred would have been as quiet as myself, had you left him alone."
"Don"t throw it all upon me, ma"am; "tis Mr. Smelt. But what are they to think of this delay? are they to suppose it requires deliberation whether or not you can admit a gentleman to your tea-table?"
I begged him to tell me, at least, how it had pa.s.sed, and in what manner he had brought his scheme about. But he would give me no satisfaction; he only said "You refuse to receive him, ma"am?-- shall I go and tell him you refuse to receive him?"
"O No,
This was enough -. he waited no fuller consent, but ran off.
Miss Planta began a good-natured repining for me. I determined to fetch some work before they arrived; and in coming for it to my own room, I saw Mr. Turbulent, not yet gone downstairs. I really believe, by the strong marks of laughter on his countenance, that he had stopped to compose himself before he could venture to appear in the equerryroom!
I looked at him reproachfully, and pa.s.sed on; he shook his head at me in return, and hied downstairs. I had but just time to rejoin Miss Planta when he led the way to the two Other gentlemen: entering first, with the most earnest curiosity, to watch the scene. Mr. Smelt followed, introducing the colonel.
I could almost have laughed, so ridiculous had the behaviour of Mr. Turbulent, joined to his presence and watchfulness, rendered this meeting; and I saw in Colonel Wellbred the most evident marks of similar sensations: for he coloured
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violently on his entrance, and seemed in an embarra.s.sment that, to any one who knew not the previous tricks of Mr. Turbulent, must have appeared really distressing. And, in truth, Mr. Smelt himself, little imagining what had preceded the interview, was so much struck with his manner and looks, that he conceived him to be afraid of poor little me, and observed, afterwards, with what "blushing diffidence" he had begun the acquaintance!
I, who saw the true cause through the effect, felt more provoked than ever with Mr. Turbulent, since I was now quite satisfied he had been as busy with the colonel about me, as with me about the colonel.
He is tall, his figure is very elegant, and his face very handsome: he is sensible, well-bred, modest, and intelligent. I had always been told he was very amiable and accomplished, and the whole of his appearance confirmed the report.
The discourse was almost all Mr. Smelt"s, the colonel was silent and reserved, and Mr. Turbulent had resolved to be a mere watchman. The king entered early and stayed late, and took away with him, on retiring, all the gentlemen.
Feb. 3.-As the tea hour approached, to-day, Mr. Turbulent grew very restless. I saw what was pa.s.sing in his mind, and therefore forbore ordering tea; but presently, and suddenly, as if from some instant impulse, he gravely came up to me, and said
"Shall I go and call the colonel, ma"am?"
"No, sir!" was my johnsonian reply.
"What, ma"am!--won"t you give him a little tea?"
"No, no, no!--I beg you will be at rest!"
He shrugged his shoulders, and walked away; and Mr. Smelt, smiling, said, "Will you give us any?"
"O yes, surely cried I, and was going away to ring for the man.