He paused: I was silent.’ His first address had put me out. Remember, madam, I said, resumed he, that I cannot be long absent: you are above being governed by mere punctilio. Add to the obligations your generous acceptance of me has laid m under Why sighs my angel? [It was, my dear Lady G, an involuntary sigh!] For the world, I would not give you either sensible or lasting pain. But if the same circumstances would make your nomination of a day as painful to you, some time hence, as now, then bless me with as early a day as you CAN give me, to express myself in the words of my judges.

This, Sir, said I (but I hesitated, and looked down) is one of the solemn points which precede one of the most solemn circumstances of my life. You seem more in earnest for an early day than I could have expected. When I have declared that affectation has no part in the more distant compli-ance, I may be allowed, by the nicest of my own sex, to lay open to a man so generous, though so precipitating, my whole heart. Indeed, Sir, it is wholly yours I blushed, as I felt, and turned away my face. It zvas a free declaration: but I was re-solved to banish affectation. He bowed profoundly on my hand, and kissed it. Gratitude looked out in his eyes, and appeared in his graceful manner, though attentively silent.

You were my deliverer, proceeded I. An esteem founded on gratitude, the object so meritorious, ought to set me above mere forms Our judges say, that you have the advantage in the argument

I will lay no stress, madam, on this part of their judgment in my favour To your goodness, and to that so nobly acknowledged esteem, I wholly refer myself

I think myself, proceeded I, that you have the ad-vantage in the argument All that is in my power, I would wish to do, to oblige you

Condescending goodness! Again he kissed my hand.

Do you think. Sir am CHARLES grandison. 207

Why hesitates my love?

Do you think, six weeks

Six ages, my dearest, dearest creature? Six weeks! For Heaven’s sake, madam He looked, he spoke, impatience.

What can a woman, who has owned your title to expect to be obliged, say? Let me, at least, ask (and I unaffectedly hesitated) arnonth, Sir from this day And that you will acknowledge yourself not per-versely or weakly treated.

He dropt on one knee, and kissing my hand with rapture, IVilhin the month, then, I hope I cannot live a month from you Allow me to return in the first fortnight of the month

O Sir! and take up your residence with us, on your return?

Undoubtedly, madam. Consider, Sir Do you also, dearest madam, consider; and banish me not from 3’ou for so very long a time.