r
for the care she took of my interests, and, promising to behave myself
according to her directions we parted, after she had assured me that I
depend upon her best offices with her mistress, and that she would from
time to time communicate to me such intelligence as she could procure,
relating to my flame. Having dressed myself to the best advantage, I
waited for the time of dinner with the most fearful impatience; and, as
the hour drew near, my heart beat with such increased velocity, and my
spirits contracted such disorder, that I began to suspect my resolution,
and even to wish myself disengaged. At last Mr. Freeman called at my
lodgings in his way, and I accompanied him to the house where all my
happiness was deposited. We were very kindly received by the squire, who
sat smoking his pipe in a parlour, and asked if we chose to drink any
thing before dinner: though I never had more occasion for a cordial, I
was ashamed to accept his offer, which was also refused, by my friend.
We sat down, however, entered into conversation, which lasted half-an
hour, so that I had time to recollect myself; and (so capricious were
my thoughts) even to hope that Narcissa would not appear--when, all of
a sudden, a servant coming in, gave us notice that dinner was upon the
table, and my perturbation returned with such violence that I could
scarcely conceal it from the company, as I ascended the staircase. When
I entered the dining-room, the first object that saluted my ravished
eyes was the divine Narcissa, blushing like Aurora, adorned with all the
graces that meekness, innocence, and beauty can diffuse! I was seized
with a giddiness, my knees tottered and I scarce had strength enough to
perform the ceremony of salutation, when her brother, slapping me on the
shoulder, cried, "Measure Randan, that there is my sister." I approached
her with eagerness and fear; but in the moment of our embrace, my soul
was agonized with rapture! It was a lucky circumstance for us both, that
my entertainer was not endued with an uncommon stock of penetration; for
our mutual confusion was so manifest that Mr. Freeman perceived it, and
as we went home together, congratulated me on my good fortune. But so
far was Bruin from entertaining the least suspicion, that he encouraged
me to begin a conversation with my mistress in a language unknown to
him, by telling her, that he had a gentleman who could jabber with
her in French and other foreign lingoes as fast as