n, and
expressed her obligation to his cousin; but, at the same time, insisted
upon going home, lest her absence should terrify her uncle and aunt,
who, she knew, would not retire to rest till her return.

He urged her, with a thousand remonstrances, to consult her own ease and
safety, promising to send Pipes into the city, for the satisfaction of
her relations. But, finding her obstinately deaf to his entreaties, he
assured her, that he would, in a few minutes, comply with her request;
and, in the meantime, begged she would fortify herself against the cold
with a cordial, which he poured out in her presence, and which, now that
her suspicion was aroused, she refused to taste, notwithstanding all
his importunities. He then fell on his knees before her, and the tears
gushing from his eyes, swore that his passion was wound up to such a
pitch of impatience, that he could no longer live upon the unsubstantial
food of expectation; and that, if she would not vouchsafe to crown his
happiness, he would forthwith sacrifice himself to her disdain. Such an
abrupt address, accompanied with all the symptoms of frantic agitation,
could not fail to perplex and affright the gentle Emilia, who, after
some recollection, replied with a resolute tone, that she could not
see what reason he had to complain of her reserve, which she was not
at liberty to lay entirely aside, until he should have avowed his
intentions in form, and obtained the sanction of those whom it was
her duty to obey. "Divine creature!" cried he, seizing her hand,
and pressing it to his lips, "it is from you alone I hope for that
condescension, which would overwhelm me with the transports of celestial
bliss. The sentiments of parents are sordid, silly, and confined. I
mean not then to subject my passion to such low restrictions as were
calculated for the purposes of common life. My love is too delicate and
refined to wear those vulgar fetters, which serve only to destroy the
merit of voluntary affection, and to upbraid a man incessantly with the
articles of compulsion, under which he lies. My dear angel! spare me the
mortification of being compelled to love you, and reign sole empress
of my heart and fortune. I will not affront you so much as to talk of
settlements; my all is at your disposal. In this pocket-book are notes
to the amount of two thousand pounds; do me the pleasure to accept of
them; to-morrow I will lay ten thousand more in your lap. In a word, you
shall be