spoken to her, and because he was always of the Captain's side in an argument.
The Captain, as bound in honour, warmly defended him, and then followed a
dispute in the usual style.
After dinner, Mrs. Mirvan introduced the subject of our leaving London. Madame
Duval said she would stay a month or two longer. The Captain told her she was
welcome, but that he and his family should go into the country on Tuesday
morning.
A most disagreeable scene followed. Madame Duval insisted upon keeping me
with her; but Mrs. Mirvan said, that as I was actually engaged on a visit to Lady
Howard, who had only consented to my leaving her for a few days, she could not
think of returning without me.
Perhaps, if the Captain had not interfered, the good-breeding and mildness of
Mrs. Mirvan might have had some effect upon Madame Duval; but he passes no
opportunity of provoking her; and therefore made so many gross and rude
speeches, all of which she retorted, that, in conclusion, she vowed she would
sooner go to law in right of her relationship, than that I should be taken away
from her.
I heard this account from Mrs. Mirvan, who was so kindly considerate as to give
me a pretence for quitting the room as soon as this dispute began, lest Madame
Duval should refer to me, and insist on my obedience.
The final result of the conversation was, that, to soften matters for the present,
Madame Duval should make one in the party to Howard Grove, whither we are
positively to go next Wednesday. And though we are none of us satisfied with
this plan, we know not how to form a better.
Mrs. Mirvan is now writing to Lady Howard, to excuse bringing this unexpected
guest, and prevent the disagreeable surprise which must otherwise attend her
reception. This dear lady seems eternally studying my happiness and advantage.
To-night we go to the Pantheon, which is the last diversion we shall partake of in
London; for to-morrow- * * * * *
This moment, my dearest Sir, I have received your kind letter.
If you thought us too dissipated the first week, I almost fear to know what you will
think of us this second;-however, the Pantheon this evening will probably be the
last public place which I shall ever see.
The assurance of your support and protection in regard to Madame Duval,
though what I never doubted, excites my utmost gratitude. How, indeed,
cherished under your roof, the happy object of your constant indulgence, how
could I have borne to become the slave of her tyrannical humours? -Pardon me
that I speak so hardly of her; but whenever the idea of passing my days with her
occurs to me, the comparison which naturally follows, takes from me all that
forbearance which, I believe, I owe her.
You are already displeased with Sir Clement: to be sure, then, his behaviour after
the opera will not make his peace with you. Indeed the more I reflect upon it, the
more angry I am. I was entirely in his power, and it was cruel in him to cause me
so much terror.
O, my dearest Sir, were I but worthy the prayers and the wishes you offer for me,
the utmost ambition of my heart would be fully satisfied! but I greatly fear you will
