...

I went directly to Lichfield, to Dr.Darwin's.

The doctor was absent, but his sister, an elderly maiden lady, who then kept house for him, received me kindly.
'"You will excuse me," said the good lady, "for not making tea for you this evening, as I am engaged to the Miss Sneyds; but perhaps you will accompany me, as I am sure you will be welcome." 'It was summer--We found the drawing-room at Mr.Sneyd's filled by all my former acquaintances and friends, who had, without concert among themselves, assembled as if to witness the meeting of two persons, whose sentiments could scarcely be known even to the parties themselves.
'I have been told that the last person whom I addressed or saw, when I came into the room, was Honora Sneyd.

This I do not remember; but I am perfectly sure that, when I did see her, she appeared to me most lovely, even more lovely than when we parted.

What her sentiments might be it was impossible to divine.
'My addresses were, after some time, permitted and approved; and, with the consent of her father, Miss Honora Sneyd and I were married (1773), by special licence, in the ladies' choir, in the Cathedral at Lichfield.