them. But then he has always done so. Every one knows that he
lives to his own heart, and they expect it of him; and when they can have
his company, they have double joy in the ease and cheerfulness that
attend his leisure: they then have him wholly. And he can be the more
polite, as the company then is all his business.

Sir Charles might the better do so, as he came over so few months ago,
after so long an absence; and his reputation for politeness was so well
established, that people rather looked for rules from him, than a
conformity to theirs.

His denials of complimenting Lady Olivia (though she was but just arrived
in his native country, where she never was before) with the suspending of
his departure for one week, or but for one day--Who but he could have
given them? But he was convinced, that it was right to hasten away, for
the sake of Clementina and his Jeronymo; and that it would have been
wrong to shew Olivia, even for her own sake, that in such a competition
she had consequence with him; and all her entreaties, all her menaces,
the detested poniard in her hand, could not shake his steady soul, and
make him delay his well-settled purpose.

LETTER XXXI

MISS BYRON.--IN CONTINUATION
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 18.

This naughty Lady G----! She is excessively to blame. Lord L---- is out
of patience with her. So is Lady L----. Emily says, she loves her
dearly; but she does not love her ways. Lord G----, as Emily tells me,
talks of coming to me; the cause of quarrel supposed to be not great: but
trifles, insisted upon, make frequently the widest breaches. Whatever it
be, it is between themselves: and neither cares to tell: but Lord and
Lady L---- are angry with her, for the ludicrous manner in which she
treats him.

The misunderstanding happened after my cousin and I left them last night.
I was not in spirits, and declined staying to cards. Lady Olivia and her
aunt went away at the same time. Whist was the game. Lord and Lady
L----, Dr. Bartlett and Emily, were cast in. In the midst of their play,
Lady G---- came hurrying down stairs to them, warbling an air. Lord
G---- followed her, much disturbed. Madam, I must tell you, said he--Why
MUST, my lord? I don't bid you.

Sit still, child, said she to Emily; and took her seat behind her--Who
wins? Who loses?

Lord G---- walked about the room--Lord and Lady L---- were unwilling to
take notice, hoping it would go off; for there had been a few
livelinesses