as I thought it, and to
subdue my desires to her will. I then sued to her, but respectfully, to
be admitted to her friendship--she must know I was as true a friend as
ever woman had--or if there was a bar to our intimacy from a dearer
attachment, to let me know it frankly, as I shewed her all my heart.
She drew out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes "of tears which sacred
pity had engendered there." Was it so or not? I cannot tell. But so
she stood (while I pleaded my cause to her with all the earnestness, and
fondness in the world) with the tears trickling from her eye-lashes, her
head stooping, her attitude fixed, with the finest expression that ever
was seen of mixed regret, pity, and stubborn resolution; but without
speaking a word, without altering a feature. It was like a petrifaction
of a human face in the softest moment of passion. "Ah!" I said, "how
you look! I have prayed again and again while I was away from you, in
the agony of my spirit, that I might but live to see you look so again,
and then breathe my last!" I intreated her to give me some explanation.
In vain! At length she said she must go, and disappeared like a
spirit. That week she did all the little trifling favours I had asked
of her. The frills were put on, and she sent up to know if I wanted any
more done. She got the Buonaparte mended. This was like healing old
wounds indeed! How? As follows, for thereby hangs the conclusion of my
tale. Listen.

I had sent a message one evening to speak to her about some special
affairs of the house, and received no answer. I waited an hour
expecting her, and then went out in great vexation at my disappointment.
I complained to her mother a day or two after, saying I thought it so
unlike Sarah's usual propriety of behaviour, that she must mean it as a
mark of disrespect. Mrs. L---- said, "La! Sir, you're always fancying
things. Why, she was dressing to go out, and she was only going to get
the little image you're both so fond of mended; and it's to be done this
evening. She has been to two or three places to see about it, before
she could get anyone to undertake it." My heart, my poor fond heart,
almost melted within me at this news. I answered, "Ah! Madam, that's
always the way with the dear creature. I am finding fault with her and
thinking the hardest things of her; and at that very time she's doing
something to shew the most delicate attention, and that she has no
greater satisfact