the honest
Welshman and his spouse farewell, and, taking post-horses, arrived at
London that same night, where I found my father in good health, to
whom I imparted what I had learned of Narcissa. This indulgent parent
approved of my intention of marrying her, even without fortune, provided
her brother's consent could not be obtained; promised to make over to me
in a few days a sufficiency to maintain her in a fashionable manner and
expressed a desire of seeing this amiable creature, who had captivated
me so much. As I had not slept the night before, and was besides
fatigued with my journey, I found myself under a necessity of taking
some repose, and went to bed accordingly: next morning, about ten
o'clock, took a chair, and according to Mrs. Sagely's directions, went
to my charmer's lodgings, and inquired for Miss Williams. I had not
waited in the parlour longer than a minute, when this young woman
entered, and no sooner perceived me, than she shrieked and ran backward:
but I got between her and the door, and clasping her in my arms, brought
her to herself with an embrace. "Good heaven," cried she, "Mr. Random,
is it you indeed? My mistress will run distracted with joy." I told her,
it was from an apprehension that my sudden appearance might have had
some bad effect on my dear Narcissa, that I had desired to see her
first, in order to concert some method of acquainting her mistress
gradually with my arrival. She approved of my conduct, and, after having
yielded to the suggestions of her own friendship, in asking if my voyage
had been successful, charged herself with that office, and left me
glowing with desire of seeing and embracing the object of my love. In a
very little time I heard some body coming down the stairs in haste, and
the voice of my angel pronounce, with an eager tone, "O heaven! is it
possible! where is he?" How were my faculties aroused at this well known
sound! and how was my soul transported when she broke in upon my view in
all the bloom of ripened beauty! Grace was in all her steps, heaven
in her eye, in every gesture dignity and love! You, whose souls are
susceptible of the most delicate impressions, whose tender bosoms have
felt the affecting vicissitudes of love, who have suffered an absence
of eighteen long months from the dear object of your hope, and found
at your return the melting fair as kind and constant as your heart can
wish, do me justice on this occasion, and conceive what unutterable