Saturday, September 29, 1832

 1832

September

Saturday 29

6 20/..

11 50/60

Hazy but finish morning – a little damp on the flags, and Fahrenheit 69° at 6 1/2 – haze and small rain as I went to Lightcliffe –

Off to Lightcliffe at 7 25/.., there at 8 – Waited some time before Mrs. Priestley came down – Sat 3/4 hour at breakfast with Mr. and Mrs. Priestley, then an hour’s reading Volume 7, Paley’s works till she had done her several jobs – Then sat talking very comfortably and agreeably from about 10 1/2 to 2 – Very good friends.  Told her I had lately heard it said she was a very fascinating person.  All I said was kind and friendly as ever, and perhaps more flattering than usual on the subject of her fascination, at which she seemed not displeased.  Quite as friendly, open, and consulting as ever to Mr. Priestley.  Mrs. P- asked me to dinner at 4, but I declined, saying I had already made quite a visitation – Said I had intended calling at Cliff Hill, but it was too late said would call on the other Miss Walker instead –

At Lidgate at 2 5/.. – Miss Walker had dined, and would go with me to Cliff Hill if I could wait till 4 – Sat talking till off at 4 3/4 to find Miss Walker at home, glad to see  us, and persuaded us to stay tea – Came away at 7 – Sat 1/2 hour with Miss W- at Lidgate, and home in 1/2 hour at 8 1/4 –

We now get on beautifully, I obscurely lovemaking and she all smiles.  Said I felt sure of my own happiness, and I might be equally so of hers.  Oh, she was sure of hers, but had been thinking last night whether she could make me happy and be a companion for me.  She said how happy she now felt, and looked so as we sat on the sofa. I joked her about being so formal in not taking cream till I had helped myself.  She smiled and [said] she would not do so at home, but her aunt would have been astonished if she had not done as she did.  

In moralizing a little on how much we had both to be thankful for, how happy we should be, etc., she said yes, she had often looked at all her things and said, what was the use of having them with nobody to enjoy them with her.  She said it all seemed now like a dream to her.  I told her I had made up my mind in May, the moment I was at liberty to do so, so that it had been well enough digested by me, however sudden it might seem to her, and that I gave my happiness in to her keeping in perfect security.  Said I had built the hut on purpose for her.  

Talked of our journey.  She is to have Mr. and Mrs. Ainsworth in February.  They cannot come before.  She wishes not to put them off, and therefore, all other things suiting, would rather not go till February.  Said I would wait for her.  

Talked of, and advised her, letting her house at Lidgate to our steward, Washington.  She would never want it again as long as there was room for us at Shibden.  Laughed and said, let Cliff Hill. But on her saying, Cliff Hill!, thought it was too early in our day to mention, and said I was only joking.  But I shall manage it all by and by.  

She is getting more and more attached to me, and I really do begin to be in love in good earnest.  Her countenance lightens up.  She looks happy, and I begin to think her at times pretty.  I begged her to take up her French and sketching again, and we already begin to feel at home together and very much (however little she may understand it) like engaged lovers.  

Her servant came home with me with a lantern to Mytholm Hill, where I sent him back on meeting Cordingley and Rachel. 

My aunt had been miserable about my being out so late, and Marian set on me on my entering the room, that I must do so no more, etc. etc., in that sort of to-me-appearing dictatorial manner that I, as usual, could not stand it, and it ending in Marian crying and having a nervous fit.  However, all got round again at last, and I staid up till 11 with my aunt telling her my real sentiments about Miss Walker and my expectations that the chances were ten to one in favour of our travelling and ultimately settling together.  My aunt not to appear to know anything about it, even to Miss W till I had mentioned it to the latter.  My aunt [said] it had really come into her head as she sat in the drawing room this afternoon, and seemed very well pleased at my choice and prospects.  I said she had three thousand a year or very near it, as I had understood some time since from the Priestleys.  She thought my father would be pleased if he knew, and so would both my uncles –

Came upstairs at 11 – Haze and small rain in the morning – Cleared about noon or before, and fine day – Very fine evening –

Only one man, Dick, working for me by day, spreading ashes --

 

WYAS Finding Number SH:7/ML/E/15/0123