as resolved, in an affair that so nearly
concerned her happiness, to consult her own inclination, preferable
to the advice of the whole world; especially as she was urged to such
condescension by no consideration of fortune, what she depended upon
being her own without restriction or control. Struck with admiration at
the philosophy and self-denial of my mistress, who seemed insensible of
the beauty she possessed, and in particular ravished with that piece of
intelligence by which I learned her fortune was independent; I resumed
the pen, launched out into encomiums on the dignity of her sentiments,
affected to undervalue the charms of external beauty, pretended to
ground my passion on the qualities of her mind, complained of her rigour
in sacrificing my repose to an overscrupulous regard to decorum, and
declared the purity of my designs in the most solemn and pathetic
vows. This performance being sealed and directed, was sent to the place
appointed by Strap, who, that we might be still the more confirmed in
our belief, renewed his watch, and in a little time brought back the
same information as before, with this addition, that Miss Sparkle (the
name of my correspondent), looking out at the window, no sooner saw
the messenger arrive, than she shut the casement in a sort of beautiful
confusion, and disappeared, eager no doubt to hear from the dear object
of her love.

My doubts now vanished, the long-expected port appeared, and I looked
upon myself as perfectly secure of that happiness I had been in quest of
so long. After dinner, I sauntered in company with Dr. Wagtail, to that
part of the town in which my inamorata lived; and, as he was a mere
register, inquired of him into the name, character, and fortune of
everybody who possessed a good house in the streets through which
we passed. When it came to his turn to mention Sir John Sparkle, he
represented him as a man of an immense estate and narrow disposition,
who mewed up his only child, a fine young lady, from the conversation of
mankind, under the strict watch and inspection of an old governante, who
was either so honest, envious, or insatiable, that nobody had been
as yet able to make her a friend, or get access to her charge,
though numbers attempted it every day; not so much on account of her
expectations from her father, who, being a widower, might marry again
and have sons, as for a fortune of twelve thousand pounds left her by an
uncle, of which she could not be