Thence Mrs. Arden sent an urgent invitation from her hospitable
hostess to Mrs. Belamour, to come and spend some days in Gracechurch
Street and share with her sister the pleasures of the first sight of
London.
"I assure you," wrote Harriet, "that though they be Woolstaplers, it
is all in the Wholesale Line; and they are very genteel, and well-
bred Persons, who have everything handsome about them. Indeed it is
upon the Cards that the Alderman may, ere many years be passed, be my
Lord Mayor; but yet he and his good Wife have a proper Appreciation
of Family, and know how to esteem me as one of the Delavies. They
would hold themselves infinitely honoured by your Visit; and if you
were here, we might even be invited to Lady Belamour's, and get
Tickets for Ranelagh. I called at my Lady's Door, but she was not
within, nor has she returned my Visit, though I went in the Alderman's
own Coach; but if you were with me she would have no Colour for
Neglect, you being now her Sister-in-law, though it makes me laugh
to think of it. But as we poor married Ladies are compelled to obey
our Lords and Masters; and as Mr. Belamour may chance to be too high
in his Notions to permit you to be a Guest in this House (as I told
our good Cousin Arden was very like), we intend to lie a Night at
Brentford, and remain there for a Day, trusting that your Husband
will not be so cruel as to prevent a Meeting, either by your coming
to see us, or our coming to see you in your present Abode, which I
long to do.
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