aking to Captain Tomlinson, Sir. I will
you would be pleased to withdraw--at least to come from behind my chair.

And she looked at the Captain, observing, no doubt, that his eyes seemed
to take lessons from mine.

A fair match, by Jupiter!

The Captain was disconcerted. The dog had not had such a blush upon his
face for ten years before. I bit my lip for vexation: walked about the
room; but nevertheless took my post again; and blinked with my eyes to
the Captain, as a caution for him to take more care of his: and then
scouling with my brows, and giving the nod positive, I as good as said,
resent that, Captain.

Capt. I hope, Madam, you have no suspicion that I am capable--

Cl. Be not displeased with me, Captain Tomlinson. I have told you that
I am not of a suspicious temper. Excuse me for the sake of my sincerity.
There is not, I will be bold to say, a sincerer heart in the world than
her's before you.

She took out her handkerchief, and put it to her eyes.

I was going, at that instant, after her example, to vouch for the honesty
of my heart; but my conscience Mennelled upon me; and would not suffer
the meditated vow to pass my lips.--A devilish thing, thought I, for a
man to be so little himself, when he has most occasion for himself!

The villain Tomlinson looked at me with a rueful face, as if he begged
leave to cry for company. It might have been as well, if he had cried.
A feeling heart, or the tokens of it given by a sensible eye, are very
reputable things, when kept in countenance by the occasion.

And here let me fairly own to thee, that twenty times in this trying
conversation I said to myself, that could I have thought that I should
have had all this trouble, and incurred all this guilt, I would have been
honest at first. But why, Jack, is this dear creature so lovely, yet so
invincible?--Ever heardst thou before that the sweets of May blossomed in
December?

Capt. Be pleased--be pleased, Madam--if you have any doubts of my
honour--

A whining varlet! He should have been quite angry--For what gave I him
the nod positive? He should have stalked again to the window, as for his
whip and hat.

Cl. I am only making such observations as my youth, my inexperience,
and my present unhappy circumstances, suggest to me--a worthy heart
(such, I hope, as Captain Tomlinson's) need not fear an examination--
need not fear being looked into--whatever doubts that man, who has been
the cause of