e least symptom of it from her relation; he summoned
all his reflection to his aid, and, thinking it would be base and
dishonest to cherish any sentiment repugnant to the affection which he
owed to a mistress who had placed such unlimited confidence in him, he
attempted to stifle the infant flame, by avoiding the amiable inspirer
of it. But the passion had taken too deep a root in his heart to be
so easily extirpated; his absence from the dear object increased
the impatience of his love: the intestine conflict between that and
gratitude deprived him of his rest and appetite. He was, in a short
time, emaciated by continual watching, anxiety, and want of nourishment,
and so much altered from his usual cheerfulness, that his mistress,
being surprised and alarmed at the change, which, from the symptoms, she
judged was owing to some uneasiness of mind, took all imaginable
pains to discover the cause. In all probability it did not escape her
penetration; for she more than once asked if he was in love with her
cousin; protesting that, far from being an obstacle to his happiness,
she would, in that case, be an advocate for his passion. However,
this declaration was never made without manifest signs of anxiety and
uneasiness, which made such an impression upon the heart of M--, that he
resolved to sacrifice his happiness, and even his life, rather than take
any step which might be construed into an injury or insult to a person
who had treated him with such generosity and goodness.

"In consequence of this resolution, he formed another, which was to go
abroad, under pretence of recovering his health, but in reality to avoid
the temptation, as well as the suspicion of being inconstant; and in
this design he was confirmed by his physician, who actually thought him
in the first stage of a consumption, and therefore advised him to repair
to the south of France. He communicated his design, with the doctor's
opinion, to the lady, who agreed to it with much less difficulty than he
found in conquering his own reluctance at parting with the dear object
of his love. The consent of his generous mistress being obtained, he
waited upon her with the instrument whereby she had made the conveyance
of her fortune to him; and all his remonstrances being insufficient
to persuade her to take it back, he cancelled it in her presence,
and placed it in that state upon her toilet, while she was dressing;
whereupon she shed a torrent of tears, saying, she