a, making him
a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles?

"'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly.

"Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don't answer
a single question. What, mum's the word, eh?

"Indeed, sir, I do not know,--I do not understand--the affair is
entirely a mystery to myself--it is in the power of no one but
Miss Seymour to explain it.

"Well, and where is she? where is she?

"O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir
Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room. Sir Charles
followed.

"Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther
than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw
herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands.

"O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the
meshes.

"Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed;
Burchel brought up the rear.

"My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed. We are
come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands.

"Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed Bromley--What, has
grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed?
Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss.

"My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon
the ladies modesty. I will stake my life they were not to have
been married these three days.

"Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and
endeavoured to defend herself. Gentlemen, assure
yourselves,--give me leave to protest to you,--indeed you will
be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a
piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of
Louisa.

"Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss
Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to
settle; that's all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek.

"Or perhaps, added Townshend,--the lady is young and
inexperienced--she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in
Cleopatra.

"Olivia suddenly raised her head and came forward, still leaning
one arm upon Louisa. Hear me, cried she; I will be heard. What
have I done that would expose me to the lash of each unlicenced
tongue? What has there been in any hour of my life, upon which
for calumny to fix her stain? Of what loose word, of what a