wards as you can. Said my
master, I would have it to-morrow, or next day at farthest, if Pamela
will: for I have sent for a license, and the messenger will be here
to-night, or early in the morning, I hope. But, added he, pray, Pamela,
do not take beyond Thursday. She was pleased to say, Sure it will not be
delayed by you, madam, more than needs!--Well, said he, now you are on
my side, I will leave you with her to settle it: and, I hope, she will
not let little bashful niceties be important with her; and so he joined
the two misses.

Lady Jones told me, I was to blame, she would take upon her to say, if I
delayed it a moment; because she understood Lady Davers was very uneasy
at the prospect, that it would be so; and if any thing should happen, it
would be a sad thing!--Madam, said I, when he was pleased to mention
it to me first, he said it should be in fourteen days; and afterwards,
asked me if I would have it in the first or the second seven? I
answered--for how could I do otherwise?--In the second. He desired it
might not be the last day of the second seven. Now, madam, said I, as
he was then pleased to speak his mind, no doubt, I would not, for any
thing, seem too forward.

Well, but, said she, as he now urges you in so genteel and gentlemanly a
manner for a shorter day, I think, if I was in your place, I would agree
to it. She saw me hesitate and blush, and said, Well, you know best; but
I say only what I would do. I said, I would consider of it; and if I saw
he was very earnest, to be sure I should think I ought to oblige him.

Misses Darnford were begging to be at the wedding, and to have a ball:
and they said, Pray, Mrs. Andrews, second our requests, and we shall be
greatly obliged to you. Indeed, ladies, said I, I cannot promise that,
if I might.--Why so? said they.--Because, answered I--I know not what!
But I think one may, with pleasure, celebrate an anniversary of one's
nuptials; but the day itself--Indeed, ladies, I think it is too solemn a
business, for the parties of our sex to be very gay upon: it is a quite
serious and awful affair: and I am sure, in your own cases, you would be
of my mind. Why, then, said Miss Darnford, the more need one has to be
as light-hearted and merry as one can.

I told you, said my master, what sort of an answer you'd have from
Pamela. The younger miss said, She never heard of such grave folks in
her life, on such an occasion: Why, sir, said she, I hope you'll sing
psalms