I should have mentioned, that Miss Darnford and I agreed upon a
correspondence, which will be no small pleasure to me; for she is an
admirable young lady, whom I prefer to every one I have seen; and I
shall, I make no doubt, improve by her letters; for she is said to have
a happy talent in writing, and is well read, for so young a lady.
Saturday. On Thursday morning my lady set out for her own seat; and my best friend
and I, attended by Mr. Colbrand, Abraham, and Thomas, for this
dear house. Her ladyship parted with her brother and me with great
tenderness, and made me promise to send her my papers; which I find
she intends to entertain Lady Betty with, and another lady or two, her
intimates, as also her lord; and hopes to find, as I believe, in the
reading of them, some excuse for her brother's choice.
My dearest master has been all love and tenderness on the road, as he is
in every place, and on every occasion. And oh, what a delightful change
was this journey, to that which, so contrary to all my wishes, and so
much to my apprehensions, carried me hence to the Lincolnshire house!
And how did I bless God at every turn, and at every stage!
We did not arrive here till yesterday noon. Abraham rode before, to let
them know we were coming: and I had the satisfaction to find every body
there I wished to see. When the chariot entered the court-yard, I was so strongly impressed
with the favour and mercies of God Almighty, on remembering how I was
sent away the last time I saw this house; the leave I took; the dangers
I had encountered; a poor cast-off servant girl; and now returning a
joyful wife, and the mistress, through his favour, of the noble house I
was turned out of; that I was hardly able to support the joy I felt in
my mind on the occasion. He saw how much I was moved, and tenderly asked
me, Why I seemed so affected? I told him, and lifted his dear hand to
my lips, and said, O sir! God's mercies, and your goodness to me on
entering this dear, dear place, are above my expression; I can hardly
bear the thoughts of them!--He said, Welcome, thrice welcome, joy of my
life! to your own house; and kissed my hand in return. All the common
servants stood at the windows, as unseen as they could, to observe us.
He took my hand, with the most condescending goodness in the world; and,
with great complaisance, led me into the parlour, and kissed me with
the greatest ardour. Welcome again, my dearest life! said he, a thousand
times welcome to the possession of a house that is not more mine than
yours! I threw myself at his feet: Permit me, dear sir, thus to bless God, and
thank you, for all his mercies and your goodness. O may I so behave, as
not to be utterly unworthy; and then how happy shall I be! God give me,
my dearest, said he, life and health to reward all your sweetness! and
no man can be so blest as I.