ed to sit long at table. But his lordship
missing her for whom the visit was meant, soon broke up the party, and
hearing which way she took, pursued her to the summer-house. After a
profusion of compliments, expressive of his high admiration, he declared
his passion in very strong and explicit terms, and requested her
permission to make proposals to her father, to which he conceived she
could have no possible objection.

"She thanked him with great politeness for his favorable opinion, but
frankly told him, that though extremely sensible of the honor he
intended her, thanks were all she had to offer in return; she earnestly
desired the business might go no further, and that he would spare
himself the trouble of an application to her father, who always kindly
allowed her to decide for herself in a concern of so much importance.

"Disappointed, shocked, and irritated at a rejection so wholly
unexpected, he insisted on knowing the cause. Was it his person? Was it
his fortune? Was it his understanding to which she objected? She
honestly assured him it was neither. His rank and fortune were above her
expectations. To his natural advantages there could be no reasonable
objection. He still vehemently insisted on her assigning the true cause.
She was then driven to the necessity of confessing that she feared his
principles were not those of a man with whom she could venture to trust
her own.

"He bore this reproof with more patience than she had expected. As she
had made no exception to his person and understanding, both of which he
rated very highly, he could better bear with the charge brought against
his principles, on which he did not set so great a value. She had indeed
wounded his pride, but not in the part where it was most vulnerable. 'If
that be all,' said he gayly, 'the objection is at an end; your charming
society will reform me, your influence will raise my principles, and
your example will change my character.'

"'What, my lord,' said she, her courage increasing with her indignation,
'this from _you_? From you, who declared only this morning, that the
work of changing the heart was too great for the Almighty himself? You
do not now scruple to declare that it is in _my_ power. That work which
is too hard for Omnipotence, your flattery would make me believe a weak
girl can accomplish. No, my lord, I will never add to the number of
those rash women who have risked their eternal happiness on this vain
hope. It woul