greeable your proposals may have been to those whom I thought it
my duty to please by every reasonable concession, and howsoever you may
have been flattered by the seeming complacency with which I have heard
your addresses, I now find it absolutely necessary to speak in a decisive
strain, to assure you, that, without sacrificing my own peace, I cannot
admit a continuation of your correspondence; and that your regard for me
will be best shown by your desisting from a pursuit which is altogether
inconsistent with the happiness of AURELIA DARNEL."

Having pronounced aloud the words that composed this dismission, he
hastily replaced the cruel scroll, and being too well acquainted with the
hand to harbour the least doubt of its being genuine, threw himself into
his bed in a transport of despair, mingled with resentment, during the
predominancy of which he determined to proceed in the career of
adventure, and endeavour to forget the unkindness of his mistress amidst
the avocations of knight-errantry.

Such was the resolution that governed his thoughts, when he rose in the
morning, ordered Crabshaw to saddle Bronzomarte, and demanded a bill of
his expense. Before these orders could be executed, the good woman of
the house entering his apartment, told him, with marks of concern, that
the poor young lady, Miss Meadows, had dropped her pocket-book in the
next chamber, where it was found by the hostess, who now presented it
unopened.

Our knight having called in Mrs. Oakley and her son as witnesses,
unfolded the book without reading one syllable of the contents, and found
in it five banknotes, amounting to two hundred and thirty pounds.
Perceiving at once the loss of this treasure might be attended with the
most embarrassing consequences to the owner, and reflecting that this was
a case which demanded the immediate interposition and assistance of
chivalry, he declared that he himself would convey it safely into the
hands of Miss Meadows; and desired to know the road she had pursued, that
he might set out in quest of her without a moment's delay. It was not
without some difficulty that this information was obtained from the
postboy, who had been enjoined to secrecy by the lady, and even gratified
with a handsome reward for his promised discretion. The same method was
used to make him disgorge his trust; he undertook to conduct Sir
Launcelot, who hired a post-chaise for despatch, and immediately
departed, after