ction,) I never saw a bitterer, or more moving grief, when she
came fully to herself.

She appealed to Heaven against my treachery, as she called it; while I,
by the most solemn vows, pleaded my own equal fright, and the reality of
the danger that had alarmed us both.

She conjured me, in the most solemn and affecting manner, by turns
threatening and soothing, to quit her apartment, and permit her to hide
herself from the light, and from every human eye.

I besought her pardon, yet could not avoid offending; and repeatedly
vowed, that the next morning's sun should witness our espousals. But
taking, I suppose, all my protestations of this kind as an indication
that I intended to proceed to the last extremity, she would hear nothing
that I said; but, redoubling her struggles to get from me, in broken
accents, and exclamations the most vehement, she protested, that she
would not survive what she called a treatment so disgraceful and
villanous; and, looking all wildly round her, as if for some instrument
of mischief, she espied a pair of sharp-pointed scissors on a chair by
the bed-side, and endeavoured to catch them up, with design to make her
words good on the spot.

Seeing her desperation, I begged her to be pacified; that she would hear
me speak but one word; declaring that I intended no dishonour to her: and
having seized the scissors, I threw them into the chimney; and she still
insisting vehemently upon my distance, I permitted her to take the chair.

But, O the sweet discomposure!--Her bared shoulders, and arms so
inimitably fair and lovely: her spread hands crossed over her charming
neck; yet not half concealing its glossy beauties: the scanty coat, as
she rose from me, giving the whole of her admirable shape, and fine-
turn'd limbs: her eyes running over, yet seeming to threaten future
vengeance:
and at last her lips uttering what every indignant look and glowing
feature portended: exclaiming as if I had done the worst I could do, and
vowing never to forgive me; wilt thou wonder if I resumed the incensed,
the already too-much-provoked fair-one?

I did; and clasped her once more to my bosom: but, considering the
delicacy of her frame, her force was amazing, and showed how much in
earnest she was in her resentment; for it was with the utmost difficulty
that I was able to hold her: nor could I prevent her sliding through my
arms, to fall upon her knees: which she did at my feet: and there in the
anguish of he