rmined against dancing, I perceived him among the
crowd, and, to my unspeakable joy, saw him advance, with my Lord P--,
who introduced him to my acquaintance. He soon found means to alter my
resolution, and I condescended to be his partner all the evening; during
which he declared his passion in the most tender and persuasive terms
that real love could dictate, or fruitful imagination invent.

"I believed his protestations, because I wished them true, and was an
unexperienced girl of fifteen. I complied with his earnest request of
being permitted to visit me, and even invited him to breakfast next
morning; so that you may imagine (I speak to those that feel) I did
not, that night, enjoy much repose. Such was the hurry and flutter of my
spirits, that I rose at six to receive him at ten. I dressed myself in
a new pink satin gown, and my best laced night-clothes, and was so
animated by the occasion that, if ever I deserved a compliment upon my
looks, it was my due at this meeting. The wished-for moment came that
brought my lover to my view. I was overwhelmed with joy, modesty, and
fear of I knew not what. We sat down to breakfast, but did not eat. He
renewed his addresses with irresistible eloquence, and pressed me to
accept of his hand without further hesitation. But to such a precipitate
step I objected, as a measure repugnant to my decency, as well as to
that duty which I owed to my father, whom I tenderly loved.

"Though I withstood this premature proposal, I did not attempt to
disguise the situation of my thoughts; and thus commenced a tender
correspondence, which was maintained by letters while I remained in the
country, and carried on, when I was in town, by private interviews twice
or thrice a week at the house of my milliner, where such endearments
passed as refined and happy lovers know, and others can only guess.
Truth and innocence prevailed on my side, while his heart was fraught
with sincerity and love. Such frequent intercourse created an intimacy
which I began to think dangerous, and therefore yielded to his repeated
desire that we might be united for ever. Nay, I resolved to avoid him,
until the day should be fixed, and very innocently, though not very
wisely, told him my reason for this determination, which was no other
than a consciousness of my incapacity to refuse him anything he should
demand as a testimony of my love.

"The time was accordingly appointed, at the distance of a few days,
during which