s for the ill-will Mr. Wenlock bears me?"

"My opinion of you, Edmund," said she, "is fixed and settled. It is
not founded upon events of yesterday, but upon long knowledge and
experience; upon your whole conduct and character."

"You honour me, lady! Continue to think well of me, it will excite me
to deserve it. When I am far distant from this place, the remembrance of
your goodness will be a cordial to my heart."

"But why will you leave us, Edmund? Stay and defeat the designs of your
enemy; you shall have my wishes and assistance."

"Pardon me, Madam, that is among the things I cannot do, even if it were
in my power, which it is not. Mr. Wenlock loves you, lady, and if he is
so unhappy as to be your aversion, that is a punishment severe enough.
For the rest, I may be unfortunate by the wickedness of others, but if I
am unworthy, it must be by my own fault."

"So then you think it is an unworthy action to oppose Mr. Wenlock! Very
well, sir. Then I suppose you wish him success; you wish that I may be
married to him?"

"I, Madam!" said Edmund, confused; "what am I that I should give my
opinion on an affair of so much consequence? You distress me by the
question. May you be happy! may you enjoy your own wishes!"

He sighed, he turned away. She called him back; he trembled, and kept
silence.

She seemed to enjoy his confusion; she was cruel enough to repeat the
question.

"Tell me, Edmund, and truly, do you wish to see me give my hand to
Wenlock? I insist upon your answer."

All on a sudden he recovered both his voice and courage; he stepped
forward, his person erect, his countenance assured, his voice resolute
and intrepid.

"Since Lady Emma insists upon my answer, since she avows a dislike to
Wenlock, since she condescends to ask my opinion, I will tell her my
thoughts, my wishes."

The fair Emma now trembled in her turn; she blushed, looked down, and
was ashamed to have spoken so freely.

Edmund went on. "My most ardent wishes are, that the fair Emma may
reserve her heart and hand till a certain person, a friend of mine, is
at liberty to solicit them; whose utmost ambition is, first to deserve,
and then to obtain them."

"Your friend, Sir!" said Lady Emma! her brow clouded, her eye
disdainful.

Edmund proceeded. "My friend is so particularly circumstanced that he
cannot at present with propriety ask for Lady Emma's favour; but as soon
as he has gained a cause that is yet in suspence, he will openly