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married, or I might have condescended to be particularly
gracious to THEM; as it was, I did not: though Lord F—-,
who hates his wife, was evidently much struck with me. He
asked me to dance with him twice—he is a charming danc-
er, by-theby, and so am I: you can’t think how well I did—I
was astonished at myself. My lord was very complimentary
too—rather too much so in fact—and I thought proper to
be a little haughty and repellent; but I had the pleasure of
seeing his nasty, cross wife ready to perish with spite and
vexation—‘
‘Oh, Miss Murray! you don’t mean to say that such a
thing could really give you pleasure? However cross or—‘
‘Well, I know it’s very wrong;—but never mind! I mean
to be good some time—only don’t preach now, there’s a
good creature. I haven’t told you half yet. Let me see. Oh!
I was going to tell you how many unmistakeable admir-
ers I had:Sir Thomas Ashby was one,—Sir Hugh Meltham
and Sir Broadley Wilson are old codgers, only fit compan-
ions for papa and mamma. Sir Thomas is young, rich, and
gay; but an ugly beast, nevertheless: however, mamma says
I should not mind that after a few months’ acquaintance.
Then, there was Henry Meltham, Sir Hugh’s younger son;
rather good-looking, and a pleasant fellow to flirt with: but
BEING a younger son, that is all he is good for; then there
was young Mr. Green, rich enough, but of no family, and
a great stupid fellow, a mere country booby! and then, our
good rector, Mr. Hatfield: an HUMBLE admirer he ought to
consider himself; but I fear he has forgotten to number hu-
mility among his stock of Christian virtues.’

100 Agnes Grey