it has been her lot to be always in
the way; but we must be merciful, for perhaps in
time we may come to be Mrs. Stents ourselves,
unequal to anything, and unwelcome to everybody.
Your account of Martha is very comfortable indeed,
and now we shall be in no fear of receiving a
worse. This day, if she has gone to church, must
have been a trial to her feelings, but it will be
the last of any acuteness. . . . Yesterday was a busy
day with me. I went to Sydney Gardens soon after
one and did not return until four, and after
dinner I walked to Weston. My morning engagement
was with the Cookes, and our party consisted of
George and Mary, a Mr. and Miss B. who had been
with us at the concert, and the youngest Miss W.
Not Julia; we have done with her; she is very ill;
but Mary. Mary W.'s turn is actually come to be
grown up, and have a fine complexion, and wear a
great square muslin shawl. I have not expressly
enumerated myself among the party, but there I
was, and my cousin George was very kind, and
talked sense to me every now and then, in the
intervals of his more animated fooling with Miss
B., who is very young, and rather handsome, and
whose gracious manners, ready wit, and solid
remarks, put me somewhat in mind of my old
acquaintance L. L. There was a monstrous deal of
stupid quizzing and common-place nonsense talked,
but scarcely any wit; all that bordered on it or
on sense came from my cousin George, whom
altogether I like very well. Mr. B. seems nothing
more than a tall young man. . . . My evening
engagement and walk was with Miss A., who had
called on me the day before, and gently upbraided
me in her turn with a change of manners to her
since she had been in Bath, or at least of late.
Unlucky me! that my notice should be of such
consequence, and my manners so bad! She was so
well disposed, and so reasonable, that I soon
forgave her, and made this engagement with her in
proof of it. She is really an agreeable girl, so
I think I may like her; and her great want of a
companion at home, which may well make