Julia_Chapter_14

{reins?}, than from any part of the banks and can be sheltered from the heat ( next 3 lines crossed out )

Julia objected that the family of his friend, more absolute strangers to her and that nothing could induce her to intrude on strangers. This objection he removed by telling her that the whole family were at the springs and that the house was entirely vacant. After a little hesitation she consented. On driving up to the gate, they found it locked. The over-seer's house was close by, Capt Mirvan drove to it, and applied to a neat, good-natured respectable looking woman who came to the door. "Indeed, Sir, " she answered to his request to open the gate, "you must please to excuse me. I had orders not to open it which the family were absent and indeed Sir Seannet disobey such positive orders." "But I am a particular friend of the family," replied he, "surely you know me." "Yes to be sure Sir, but there was so much mischief done last year when they were away, by the coming of friends and the like, that the Madam, who thinks a sight of her flowers and shrubs, and the Master who puts a heap of store by his fruit and his vines and the like, said as how as no one must be admitted, and indeed Sir, it is more than I done to open the gate and the door for any one." The Capt almost out of patience, but not off his guard, repeated his solicitation, adding "this lady is too much fatigued, in fact she is too sick to go farther and I am sure in such a case my friend would be angry if you refused giving me admittance." This last plea prevailed, the woman with evident reluctance, mingled nervous with much kindness, replied, "why to be sure if the lady is not well, I must oblige you, Sir, tho' contrary to orders." She then brought out a bunch of keys and opened the gate of the court-yard and afterwards the door of the house--Julia, gently reproached Capt Mirvan for having made a fake

like, and still more for having by his persuasions induced this good-natured woman to violate her duty--"Now tell me, and tell me truly," said she, as she walked with him round the shrubbery, "if any friend wanting a house-keeper applied to you for the character of this woman, would you recommend her to so responsible a situation." " To answer you candidly," replied he, "I would not-and why?" " Because I find she is not to be trusted; that she cannot resist persuasion; and if she has violated a positive duty at my solicitation, it is but fear to suppose she would do it for another." "True-true," said Julia, "she is { ?} of confidence-but who is to blame? It she has yielded it was not for any vicious or selfish purpose--it was not from any evil or criminal motive. No, it was because she was kind and tender hearted--it was her benevolence and good nature yes virtue--and not the vices of her nature betrayed her into error.--Alas" said she, clasping her hands and looking reproachfully at Capt Mivan, "it is ever thus woman--kind, tender, sympathazing Woman, is ever the dupe-the victim of her best and most generous feelings--while Man--exalts in the ruin he makes." Her eyes filled with tears--she rose and walked away from her companion. "What a singular being you are Julia--how strangely you see things--What is there in this trifling incident to make you so serious?" "There is that in it, " replied she empathically," which will make me trust wiser and better for the rest of my life." Positively I cannot understand you--pray explain yourself. And yet methinks it was easy to understand you--your words needed no explanation." Have I said anything to make you shun me thus, anything that deserves a look so full of reproach? "You have said--and said most truly, that Women are despised even by those for whose sake they sacrifice. That those who cannot resist solicitation--one unworthy of confidence and esteem--And I thank you, yes from

heart I thank you for the lesson." It was in vain Capt Mirvan protested she had entirely mistaken his meaning. That the violation of a [servant's?} trust, could have nothing in common with a case where one heart was exchanged for another-She listened in silence, and not all his intreaties could induce her to enter the house. He attempted gently to draw her forward, but suddenly assuming that dignity, which so {wish, will?} became her, without losing any of her gentleness, she withdrew her arm from within his and turned towards the house of the over-seer. Again was Captain Mirvan's plans defeated--he walked silently by her side, ruminating on his disappointment, and vowing that he would not relinquish his schemes, which after every failure became dearer to him. "Yes I vow you shall yet be mine proud woman; that pride which is your only preservative--that pride shall be humbled." The horses had been taken from the carriages and put under an open shed they found and the good natured woman on their entering the house, busily engaged preparing some refreshments for them. Julia composed her agitated feelings, and with a kindness and benignity all her own, conversed with the woman, and played with the children and would not mortify her hostess by refusing the milk and fruit she set before her. As they were going away, Julia took her hand, and said with great seriousness, "never my good friend, unlock gates, open doors, or in anyway sacrifice your duty to please any man. You gain nothing and may lose much, even this gentleman has acknowledged to me he thinks the worse of you for it, and that in his own care, he would never again trust you." "And is that all the thanks I am to get? said the woman angrily. I wish I had known as much before." "Yes, " said Julia, "contempt is all the thanks you will get from ungrateful man." But the woman who had turned suddenly back, did not hear her. "Indeed, Julia," said Capt Mirvan, "this is to be cruel as well as unjust."

They had to return through the grounds and as they stood by the gate while a boy was fastening the horses to the carriage, a gentleman, an intimate friend of Capt Mirvan's and an acquaintance of Mrs Clifton's rode by and on perceiving them stopped and bowed. "Lo, F____ has returned from the springs," said he. "No," replied the Captain," the family are all absent." "Why where the dunce then have you and Mrs Clifton been these two hours, for I saw your carriage here when I passed that long since." Julia blushed to her very eyes, and was evidently much embarrassed and confused, for she instantly felt the impropriety of her situation and the suspicions to which it might give rise. Even Capt Mirvan for a moment hesitated for an answer, but at last said," we have been rambling over the grounds, and I brought Mrs Clifton here to show her the beautiful scenery round this place." "And you knew the house was empty?" said the gentleman signicicantly. "We had nothing to do with the house," replied the Captain, "it was only the grounds we came to visit." "Upon my word," said the gentleman, "you are a { ?} guide, to bring lady over hills and dales through the broiling sun to see burnt up corn-fields and withered meadows. If Mrs Clifton would allow me pleasure I would take her to a place where there is something better worth seeing. Julia bowed, and said it was the Little Falls she had come to visit, but having been delayed longer on the road than they expected, the day was too far advanced to go among the rocks." "Delayed on the road?" exclaimed the gentleman, "no accident I hope--I was thinking you were very late for a morning ride, but I seriously hope you met with no accident." "None," said Julia coldly and much provoked by his impertinent curiosity. "You are an early riser Mrs Clifton and I believe generally ride before breakfast."

"Always for," said Julia. "Good heavens my dear Madam, you do not mean to say you have not breakfasted this morning and have been riding ever since sunrise?" Julia turned from him too much vexed to answer, and Capt Mirvan, with an exalting laugh, exclaimed, "Upon my word , Johnson, such a morning's ride is worth a thousand breakfasts." "To you, I make no doubt, who have enjoyed the rich regale of Mrs Clifton's conversation, but I cannot say so much for her shame, for if you cannot confound {city} better since you absconded from your old friends, instead of a feast of Reason, methinks she must have had a fast." "Better!, since I left your set { ?} Johnson and happier too; Mrs Clifton works miracles I assure you, why I verily believe she would take you in hand, she could make something of you." "Why if she has transformed you,{ had} into an amateur of the beauties and wonders of nature, I do not think she need dispair of making me anything she pleases. Captain Mirvan { ?} mortal wanderer amidst hills and rocks!! that's a good one--you were always an excellent shot, hast brought down any plover; or perhaps you may have taken a fancy to doves,hey Captain?" This was too much for the irritated Capt Mirvan; he hastily up { ?} Julia into the carriage and turning fiercely on his tormentor, "I am a good shot," said he, "and river{ ice} or hawk pouncing down on any innocent or harmless creature, but I take good aim. Beware Sir." And before Johnson could reply he had touched his horses with his whip and was out of sight in a few moments. "For heavens sake my dear Captain Mirvan," exclaimed Julia, frightened out of her usual reserve by his angry countenance and threatening tone, "what is it that you apprehend--what has provoked you?" "That malignant villain," answered he, "no vulture preyed more eagerly on its loathsome food, than he does on the faults and frailties of his fellow amatures. Columny is meat and drink to the {uncouth?}--and a fine story he has {stoked?} new. It will serve him for this month to come, and after retailing it in every house, in the City, or GeorgeTown, he will post off to Berkley, Bath Town, Saratoga {stoked?}