Читать книгу The Diary and Collected Letters of Madame D'Arblay, Frances Burney - Frances Burney - Страница 24

I find Miss Streatfield ⁶⁴a very amiable girl, and extremely handsome; not so wise as I expected, but very well; however, had she not chanced to have had so uncommon an education, with respect to literature or learning, I believe she would not have made her way among the wits by the force of her natural parts.

Mr. Seward, you know, told me that she had tears at command, and I begin to think so too, for when Mrs. Thrale, who had previously told me I should see her cry, began coaxing her to stay, and saying, “If you go, I shall know you don’t love me so well as Lady Gresham,”—she did cry, not loud indeed, nor much, but the tears came into her eyes, and rolled down her fine cheeks.

“Come hither, Miss Burney,” cried Mrs. Thrale, “come and see Miss Streatfield cry!”

I thought it a mere badinage. I went to them, but when I saw real tears, I was shocked, and saying “No, I won’t look at her,” ran away frightened, lest she should think I laughed at her, which Mrs. Thrale did so openly, that, as I told her, had she served me so, I should have been affronted with her ever after.

Miss Streatfield, however, whether from a sweetness not to be ruffled, or from not perceiving there was any room for taking offence, gently wiped her eyes, and was perfectly composed!