new
what he said.

"I would have quitted his house that moment, had not he beforehand
obtained a promise that I would take no rash resolution of that kind,
and put it out of my power to procure any method of conveyance by
which I could make my retreat. I gave no vent to reproaches, but only
upbraided him with his having permitted me to return, in ignorance, to
the country, after I was once fairly gone; upon which he swore that he
could not bear the thoughts of parting with me. This declaration was a
mystery at that time, but I have been since so fully satisfied of his
reasons for his conduct, that I heartily acquit him of all injustice
to me. And, indeed, it is my sincere opinion, that, if ever young man
deserved to be happy, he is certainly entitled to that privilege;
and, if I may be allowed to judge, has a heart susceptible of the most
refined enjoyment.

"The violence of the grief and consternation which I suffered from this
stroke having a little subsided, I deliberated with myself about the
measures I should take, and determined to leave his house some day when
he should be abroad. I was encouraged in this resolution by the advice
of our Scotch friend, who came about this time from London, on a visit
to his fellow-traveller. We thought such an abrupt departure would be
less shocking than to stay and take a formal leave of my lover, whose
heart was of such a delicate frame, that, after I told him I should one
day withdraw myself in his absence, he never came home from the chase,
or any other avocation, without trembling with apprehension that I had
escaped.

"After he had been some time accustomed to these fears by my previous
intimation, I at length decamped in good earnest, though my heart
ached upon the occasion, because I left him loving and beloved; for
his affection was evident, notwithstanding the step he had taken by the
advice and importunity of all his relations, who laid a disagreeable
restraint upon his inclinations, while they consulted his interest in
every other particular.

"While I halted in the next great town, until I could be supplied
with fresh horses, I was visited by a gentleman who had been formerly
intimate with my lover; but a breach had happened in their friendship,
and he now came to complain of the treatment he had received. Perceiving
that I was not in a humour to listen to his story, he shifted the
conversation to my own, and observed, that I had been extremely
ill-used. I told