- I Imagine This To Be The
Cause Why She Looks On Me With Such Disdain, And, Whenever You Are Not
Witness Of Her Words, Is So Keen In Satyrical Reflections.
- On our first
acquaintance she looked and spoke with greater softness, and I can
impute it to no other motive than the pride of beauty, that this sudden
change has happened.
All the time he was speaking, the soul of Melanthe grew more and more
fired with jealousy. - It is natural for every one to imagine whatever
they like is agreeable to others. The distaste which Louisa had on many
occasions testified for the count, seemed now to have been only
affected: - the melancholy she had been in, and the deep resvery she
remembered she had fallen into when first she informed her of their
amour, joined to convince her, that the advice she gave proceeded from a
motive very different from what she pretended.
The wily count saw into the workings of her soul; and while he seemed as
if he would not discover the whole of his sentiments for fear of
disobliging her, threw out the plainest hints, that Louisa had made him
advances which would have been very flattering to a heart not
pre-engaged, till Melanthe, not able to contain her rage, broke out into
the fevered invectives against the innocent Louisa. - The ungrateful
wretch! cried she, how dare she presume to envy, much less to offer an
interruption to my pleasures! - What, have I raised the little wretch to
such a forgetfulness of herself, that she pretends to rival her mistress
and benefactress! In the height of her resentment, she related to the
count in what manner she had taken her into her service; but that
finding her, as she imagined, a girl of prudence, she had made her a
companion during her travels, and as such treated her with respect, and
made others do so too; - but, said she, I will reduce her to what she
was, and since she knows not how to prize the honour of my friendship,
make her feel the severities of servitude.
Nothing could be more astonishing, and at the same time more pleasing to
count Bellfleur than this discovery: what he felt for Louisa could not
be called love, he desired only to enjoy her; and the knowledge of her
meanness, together with Melanthe's resentment, which he doubted not but
he should be able to improve to the turning her out of doors, made him
imagine she would then be humbled enough to accept of any, offers he
might make her.
Pursuant to this cruel aim, he told Melanthe, that now not thinking
himself under any obligation to conceal the whole of the affair, he must
confess Louisa had not only made him advances, but gone so far as to
discover a very great passion for him. - As I had never, said he, given
her the least room to hope I was ambitious of any favours from her of
that nature, I could not help thinking she was guilty of some
indecencies ill-becoming a woman of condition, as well as infidelity to
her friendship for you, whom she might well see I adored: - but alas! I
little suspected the obligations she had to you, and now I know what she
is, am in the utmost consternation at her ingratitude, impudence and
stupidity. Heavens! added he, could she have the vanity to imagine that
the genteel garb you had put her in, could raise her to such an
equality, as to make me hesitate one moment if I should give the balance
of merit on her side, and quit the amiable Melanthe for the pert charms
of her woman?
Melanthe, believing every thing he said on this occasion, was ready to
burst with indignation; which impatient to give vent to, parted from her
lover much sooner than she was accustomed, in order to wreak on the poor
Louisa all that rage and malice could suggest.
That innocent maid, little suspecting the misfortune that was falling on
her, was at ombre with some ladies who came to visit them, when the
furious Melanthe came home, and taking this opportunity of heightening
her intended revenge by making it more public, - so, minx, said she to
her, after having made her compliments to the company, you ape the woman
of fashion exceeding well, as you imagine; but hereafter know yourself,
and keep the distance that becomes you. With these words she gave her a
push from the table in so rough a manner, that the cards fell out of
her hand.
It is hard to say whether Louisa herself, or the ladies who were
present, were most astonished at this behaviour; every one looked one
upon another without speaking for some time: at last Louisa, who wanted
not spirit, and on this occasion testified an uncommon presence of
mind, - if I have seemed otherways than what I am, madam, said she, it
was your commands obliged me to it: - I never yet forgot myself, and
shall as readily resume what distance you are pleased to enjoin me.
Insolent, ungrateful wretch, cried Melanthe, vexed to the soul to find
her seem so little shocked at what she had done, if I permitted you any
liberties, it was because I thought you merited them; - but get out of my
sight, and dare not to come into it again till I send for you. I shall
obey you, madam, replied Louisa, and perhaps be as well pleased to be
your servant as companion.
This resignation and seeming tranquility under an insult, she expected
would have been so mortifying, was the greatest disappointment could be
given to Melanthe, and increased her rage to such a degree, that she
flew to her as she was going out of the room, and struck her several
blows, using at the same time expressions not decent to repeat, but
such, as in some unguarded moments, women of quality level themselves
with the vulgar enough to be guilty of.
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