e time, follow me to town, and everything
should be amicably adjusted; but when the messenger assured him, that
I was too much transported with grief to hear of such a proposal, he
consented to meet me in the middle of Salisbury Plain, that we might
avoid all observation. And though I was little able to walk, I set
out for the place of assignation, my companion following at a small
distance.

"When I saw him leading his horse down the hill, I collected all my
fortitude, and advanced to him with all the speed I could exert; but
when I made an effort to speak, my tongue denied its office, and so
lively was the expression of unutterable sorrow in my countenance, that
his heart, hard as it was, melted at the sight of my sufferings, which
he well knew proceeded from the sincerity of my love. At length I
recovered the use of speech enough to tell him, that I was come to take
my leave; and, when I would have proceeded, my voice failed me again.
But, after a considerable pause, I found means, with great difficulty,
to let him know how sensible I was of my own incapacity to retrieve
his lost affections; but that I was willing, if possible, to retain
his esteem, of which could I be assured, I would endeavour to compose
myself; that I was determined to leave the kingdom, because I could not
bear the sight of those places where we had been so happy in our mutual
love; and that, till my departure, I hoped he would visit me sometimes,
that I might, by degrees, wean myself from his company; for I should not
be able to survive the shock of being deprived of him all at once.

"This address may seem very humble to an unconcerned observer; but love
will tame the proudest disposition, as plainly appeared in my case; for
I had naturally as much spirit, or more, than the generality of people
have. Mr. S-- was so much confounded at the manner of my behaviour,
that he scarce knew what answer to make; for, as he afterwards owned,
he expected to hear himself upbraided; but he was not proof against my
tenderness. After some hesitation, he said, he never meant to forsake
me entirely, that his affection was still unimpaired, and that he would
follow me directly to London. I imposed upon myself, and believed what
he said, because I could not bear to think of parting with him for ever,
and returned to town in a more tranquil state of mind than that in which
I had left my father, though my heart was far from being at ease; my
fears being ingenious en