Your ladyship's favour, said I, was all I had to wish for; and if I have
that, and the continuance of your dear brother's goodness to me, I shall
be easy under whatever else may happen.
And so I took my leave, and withdrew; and she let me hear her say to
Mrs. Worden, 'Tis a charming creature, Worden!--I know not which excels;
her person, or her mind!--And so young a creature too!--Well may my
brother love her!
I am afraid, my dear father and mother, I shall now be too proud indeed. I had once a good mind to have asked her ladyship about Miss Sally
Godfrey; but I thought it was better let alone, since she did not
mention It herself. May be I shall hear it too soon. But I hope not. I
wonder, though, whether she be living or dead.
We breakfasted together with great good temper; and my lady was very
kind, and, asking my good master, he gave leave very readily, she should
see all my papers, when you returned them to me; and he said, He
was sure, when she came to read them, she would say, that I had well
deserved the fortune I had met with: and would be of opinion, that all
the kindness of his future life would hardly be a sufficient reward for
my virtue, and make me amends for my sufferings.
My lady resolving to set out the next morning to return to her lord, my
master ordered every thing to be made ready for his doing the like to
Bedfordshire; and this evening our good neighbours will sup with us, to
take leave of my lady and us. Wednesday night.
Nothing particular having passed at dinner or supper, but the most
condescending goodness, on my lady's side, to me; and the highest
civilities from Mr. Peters's family, from Lady Jones, from Sir Simon's
family, etc. and reciprocal good wishes all around; and a promise
obtained from my benefactor, that he would endeavour to pass a fortnight
or three weeks in these parts, before the winter set in; I shall
conclude this day with observing, that I disposed of the money my
master was so good to put into my hands, in the manner he was pleased to
direct; and I gave Mrs. Jewkes hers in such a manner as highly pleased
her; and she wished me, with tears, all kinds of happiness; and prayed
me to forgive her all her wickedness to me, as she herself called it. I
begged leave of my master to present Mrs. Worden with five guineas for a
pair of gloves; which he said was well thought of.