Vol.II

　　LETTER LV.55.

　　To Miss Rivers, Clarges Street.

　　Silleri, Jan.16.

　　So, my dear, we went on too fast, it seems: Sir George was so obliging as to settle all without waiting for Emily’s consent; not having supposed her refusal to be in the chapter of possibilities: after having communicated their plan of operations to me as an affair settled, papa was dispatched, as Sir George’s ambassador, to inform Emily of his gracious intentions in her favor.

　　She received him with proper dignity, and like a girl of true spirit told him, that as the delay was originally from Sir George, she should insist on observing the conditions very exactly, and was determined to wait till spring, whatever might be the contents of Mrs.Clayton’s expected letter; reserving to herself also the privilege of refusing him even then, if upon mature deliberation she should think proper so to do.

　　She has further insisted, that till that time he shall leave Silleri; take up his abode at Quebec, unless, which she thinks most adviseable, he should return to Montreal for the winter; and never attempt seeing her without witnesses, as their present situation is particularly delicate, and that whilst it continues they can have nothing to say to each other which their common friends may not with propriety hear: all she can be prevailed on to consent to in his favor, is to allow him en attendant to visit here like any other gentleman.

　　I wish she would send him back to Montreal, for I see plainly he will spoil all our little parties.

　　Emily is a fine girl, Lucy, and I am friends with her again; so, my dear, I shall revive my coterie, and be happy two or three months longer.I have sent to ask my two sweet fellows at Quebec to dine here: I really long to see them; I shall let them into the present state of affairs here, for they both despise Sir George as much as I do; the creature looks amazingly foolish, and I enjoy his humiliation not a little: such an animal to set up for being beloved indeed!O to be sure!

　　Emily has sent for me to her apartment.Adieu for a moment.

　　Eleven o’clock.

　　She has shewn me Mrs.Melmoth’s letter on the subject of concluding the marriage immediately: it is in the true spirit of family impertinence.She writes with the kind discreet insolence of a relation; and Emily has answered her with the genuine spirit of an independent Englishwoman, who is so happy as to be her own mistress, and who is therefore determined to think for herself.

　　She has refused going to Montreal at all this winter; and has hinted, though not impolitely, that she wants no guardian of her conduct but herself; adding a compliment to my ladyship’s discretion so very civil, it is impossible for me to repeat it with decency.

　　O Heavens!your brother and Fitzgerald!I fly.The dear creatures!my life has been absolute vegetation since they absented themselves.

　　Adieu!my dear,

　　Your faithful

　　A.Fermor. The History of Emily Montague