(7)
"You are charmingly established here," said D'Aubigne, as with
Julia's arm within his & holding Henry by the hand, while Rosa
on the other clung to that of her mother, they wandered over the
Garden & grounds. I have never seen a more lovely spot
being so near to Washington & George-Town it must unite the
advantages of society, with the solicitiude of the country. It seems
the very abode of happiness."
Julia, sighed & answered, "it is in truth a place after
my own heart. Tho' thrown by fortune into the gay & tumultuous scenes
of fashionable life, nature I verily think designed me for
an inhabitant of the country, otherwise she wasted on me, feelings
& perceptions that are very useless amidst brick houses & blazing
drawing-rooms--"
"Then you prefer retirement to the gay world?"
"Not exactly so," said Julia--"I can not precisely explain how it
is. I love solitude--no human being enjoys it more than I do--
And yet I love society & enjoy that likewise, with as much
zest as any woman alive.--Habit, they say is second nature,
& so, habit I suppose gives me as much relish for the gay
world, as nature has given for the solitude of the country.--
A kind of amphibious animal I believe--like those wild fowl
you see, now flying through the air & now floating
on water," & she pointed as she spoke to the Potomac
whose broad, bright stream rolled majestically before
them--"They seem to enjoy themselves equally in either element."
"What a happy disposition," exclaimed D'Aubigne.
Julia again sighed & turning homewards, "come," said she
"let us, as in days past sit by the evening fire & tell
stories--the air is growing chill. You shall tell me the story
of all your adventures & I will tell mine."
D'Aubigne was now an established inmate in Clifton's
family, & soon so endeared himself to the chilren that
they forgot he was a recent acquaintance, & loved him as
a friend & relative. He read to Julia of a morning, or when
she was occupied, became the companion & playmate of Rosa--he rode
or walked with her in the afternoon & visited with her in
the evening--Henry, hastened from school at an earlier hour &
abandoned his former companions & [?], that he ought
be with his dear Uncle--as he called D'Aubigne
EN