th particular demonstrations
of regard and affection. As her economy was not encumbered with an
unnecessary number of domestics, her own presence was often required in
different parts of the house, so that the young gentleman was supplied
with frequent opportunities of promoting his suit by all the tender
oaths and insinuations that his passion could suggest. He protested her
idea had taken such entire possession of his heart, that finding
himself unable to support her absence one day longer, he had quitted
his studies, and left his governor by stealth, that he might visit the
object of his adoration, and be blessed in her company for a few days
without interruption.

She listened to his addresses with such affability as denoted
approbation and delight, and gently chided him as a thoughtless truant,
but carefully avoided the confession of a mutual flame; because she
discerned, in the midst of all his tenderness, a levity of pride which
she durst not venture to trust with such a declaration. Perhaps she
was confirmed in this caution by her mother, who very wisely, in her
civilities to him, maintained a sort of ceremonious distance, which she
thought not only requisite for the honour and interest of her family,
but likewise for her own exculpation, should she ever be taxed with
having encouraged or abetted him in the imprudent sallies of his youth;
yet, notwithstanding this affected reserve, he was treated with such
distinction by both, that he was ravished with his situation, and became
more and more enamoured every day.

While he remained under the influence of this sweet intoxication,
his absence produced great disturbance at Winchester. Mr. Jolter was
grievously afflicted at his abrupt departure, which alarmed him the
more, as it happened after a long fit of melancholy which he had
perceived in his pupil. He communicated his apprehensions to the master
of the school, who advised him to apprise the commodore of his nephew's
disappearance, and in the mean time inquire at all the inns in
town, whether he had hired horses, or any sort of carriage, for his
conveyance, or was met with on the road by any person who could give an
account of the direction in which he travelled.

The scrutiny, though performed with great diligence and minuteness,
was altogether ineffectual; they could obtain no intelligence of the
runaway. Mr. Trunnion was well distracted at the news of his flight; he
raved with great fury at the imprudence