“Well, so you are grown very fond of her?”
“Oh dear, no!” answered he, drily, “not at all!”
“Why, I began to think,” said Mrs. Thrale, “you intended to supplant the parson.”
“No, I don't: I don't know what sort of an old woman she'd make; the tears won't do then. Besides, I don't think her so sensible as I used to do.”
“But she's very pleasing,” cried I, “and very amiable.”
“Yes, she's pleasing,--that's certain; but I don't think she reads much; the Greek has spoilt her.”
“I believe she does, and that's a better thing.”
“Ay; so it is,” said he, saucily, “for ladies; ladies should rather write than read.”
“But authors,” cried I, “before they write should read.”
Returning again to the S. S., and being again rallied about her by Mrs. Thrale, who said she believed at last he would end there,--he said,
“Why, if I must marry--if I was bid to choose between that and racking on the wheel, I believe I should go to her.”
We all laughed at this exquisite compliment; but, as he said, it was a compliment, for though it proved no passion for her, it proved a preference.
“Upon my word,” exclaimed I, “you settle it all your own way!--the lady would be ready at any rate!”
“Oh yes! any man might marry Sophy Streatfield.”
“I mean,” said he, “if he'd pay his court to her.”
_Friday, July 30_.--This seems a strange, unseasonable period for my undertaking, but yet, my dear daddy, when you have read my conversation with Mr. Sheridan, I believe you will agree that I must have been wholly insensible, nay, almost ungrateful, to resist encouragement such as he gave me--nay, more than encouragement, entreaties, all of which he warmly repeated to my father.
Now, as to the play itself, I own I had wished to have been the bearer of it when I visit Chesington; but you seem so urgent, and my father himself is so desirous to carry it you, that I have given that plan up.
O my dear daddy, if your next letter were to contain your real opinion of it, how should I dread to open it! Be, however, as honest as your good nature and delicacy will allow you to be, and assure yourself I shall be very certain that all your criticisms will proceed from your earnest wishes to obviate those of others, and that you would have much more pleasure in being my panegyrist.