But, alas! this was no merit in me, for I was drove to it by
a passion too impetuous for me to resist, and I did what I
did because I could not help it.
In an instant, for time was now annihilated with me, we
landed at a public house in Chelsea, hosipitably commodious
for the reception of duet-parties of pleasure, where a break-
fast of chocolate was prepared for us.
An old jolly stager, who kept it, and understood life
perfectly well, breakfasted with us, and leering archly at
me, gave us both joy, and said we were well paired, i' faith!
that a great many gentlemen and ladies used his house, but he
had never seen a handsomer couple . . . he was sure I was a
fresh piece . . . I look'd so country, so innocent! well my
spouse was a lucky man! . . . all which common landlord's
cant not only pleas'd and sooth'd me, but help'd to divert
my confusion at being with my new sovereign, whom, now the
minute approach'd, I began to fear to be alone with: a
timidity which true love had a greater share in than even
maiden bashfulness.
I wish'd, I doted, I could have died for him; and yet,
I know not how, or why, I dreaded the point which had been
the object of my fiercest wishes; my pulses beat fears,
amidst a flush of the warmest desires. This struggle of the
passions, however, this conflict betwixt modesty and love-
sick longings, made me burst again into tears; which he took,
as he had done before, only for the remains of concern and
emotion at the suddenness of my change of condition, in com-
mitting myself to his care; and, in consequence of that idea,
did and said all that he thought would most comfort and re-
inspirit me.
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