ey must be full of
admirable instruction, and one of the dear correspondents had deigned to
wish my entire reformation.
She looked at me as if she would look me through: I thought I felt eye-
beam, after eye-beam, penetrate my shivering reins.--But she was silent.
Nor needed her eyes the assistance of speech.
Nevertheless, a little recovering myself, I hoped that nothing unhappy
had befallen either Miss Howe or her mother. The letter of yesterday
sent by a particular hand: she opening it with great emotion--seeming to
have expected it sooner--were the reasons for my apprehensions.
We were then at Muswell-hill: a pretty country within the eye, to Polly,
was the remark, instead of replying to me.
But I was not so to be answered--I should expect some charming subjects
and characters from two such pens: I hoped every thing went on well
between Mr. Hickman and Miss Howe. Her mother's heart, I said, was set
upon that match: Mr. Hickman was not without his merits: he was what the
ladies called a SOBER man: but I must needs say, that I thought Miss Howe
deserved a husband of a very different cast!
This, I supposed, would have engaged her into a subject from which I
could have wiredrawn something:--for Hickman is one of her favourites--
why, I can't divine, except for the sake of opposition of character to
that of thy honest friend.
But she cut me short by a look of disapprobation, and another cool remark
upon a distant view; and, How far off, Miss Horton, do you think that
clump of trees may be? pointing out of the coach.--So I had done.
Here endeth all I have to write concerning our conversation on this our
agreeable airing.
We have both been writing ever since we came home. I am to be favoured
with her company for an hour, before she retires to rest.
All that obsequious love can suggest, in order to engage her tenderest
sentiments for me against tomorrow's sickness, will I aim at when we
meet. But at parting will complain of a disorder in my stomach.
***
We have met. All was love and unexceptionable respect on my part. Ease
and complaisance on her's. She was concerned for my disorder. So
sudden!--Just as we parted! But it was nothing. I should be quite well
by the morning.
Faith, Jack, I think I am sick already. Is it possible for such a giddy
fellow as me to persuade myself to be ill! I am a better mimic at this
rate than I wish to be. But every nerve and fibre of me is always ready
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