ifficulty it yields to the chisel.* So this lady,
not taken at the moment, after a turn or two across the room, gained more
resolution! and then she declared, as she had done once before, that she
would wait the issue of Miss Howe's answer to the letter she had sent her
from hence, and take her measures accordingly--leaving it to him, mean
time, to make what report he thought fit to her uncle--the kindest that
truth could bear, she doubted not from Captain Tomlinson: and she should
be glad of a few lines from him, to hear what that was.

* The nature of the Bath stone, in particular.

She wished him a good journey. She complained of her head; and was about
to withdraw: but I stept round to the door next the stairs, as if I had
but just come in from the garden (which, as I entered, I called a very
pretty one) and took her reluctant hand as she was going out: My dearest
life, you are not going?--What hopes, Captain?--Have you not some hopes
to give me of pardon and reconciliation?

She said she would not be detained. But I would not let her go till she
had promised to return, when the Captain had reported to me what her
resolution was.

And when he had, I sent up and claimed her promise; and she came down
again, and repeated (as what she was determined upon) that she would wait
for Miss Howe's answers to the letter she had written to her, and take
her measures according to its contents.

I expostulated with her upon it, in the most submissive and earnest
manner. She made it necessary for me to repeat many of the pleas I had
before urged. The Captain seconded me with equal earnestness. At last,
each fell down on our knees before her.

She was distressed. I was afraid at one time she would have fainted.
Yet neither of us would rise without some concessions. I pleaded my own
sake; the Captain, his dear friend, her uncle's; and both re-pleaded the
prevention of future mischief; and the peace and happiness of the two
families.

She owned herself unequal to the conflict. She sighed. She sobbed. She
wept. She wrung her hands.

I was perfectly eloquent in my vows and protetations. Her tearful eyes
were cast down upon me; a glow upon each charming cheek; a visible
anguish in every lovely feature--at last, her trembling knees seemed to
fail her, she dropt into the next chair; her charming face, as if seeking
for a hiding place (which a mother's bosom would have best supplied)
sinking upon her own shoulder.