arms of his sister, who
no sooner distinguished me in the crowd, than her evident confusion
afforded a happy omen to my flame. At sight of me she started, the roses
instantly vanished from her polished cheeks, and returned in a
moment with a double glow, that overspread her lovely neck, while her
enchanting bosom heaved with strong emotion. I hailed these favourable
symptoms, and, lying in wait for her looks, did homage with my eyes. She
seemed to approve my declaration, by the complacency of her aspect; and
I was so transported with the discovery, that more than once I was on
the point of making up to her, to disclose the throbbings of my heart
in person, had not that profound veneration, which her presence always
inspired, restrained the unseasonable impulse. All my powers being
engrossed in this manner, it may easily be imagined how ill I
entertained Miss Snapper on whom I could not now turn my eyes, without
making comparisons very little to her advantage. It was not even in my
power to return distinct answers to the questions she asked from time
to time, so that she could not help observing my absence of mind; and
having a turn for observation, watched my glances, and, tracing them to
the divine object, discovered the cause of my disorder. That she might,
however, be convinced of the truth of her conjecture, she began to
interrogate me with regard to Narcissa, and, notwithstanding all my
endeavours to disguise my sentiments, perceived my attachment by my
confusion: upon which, she assumed a stateliness of behaviour, and sat
silent during the remaining part of the entertainment. At any other
time, her suspicion would have alarmed me: but now I was elevated by my
passion above every other consideration. The mistress of my soul
having retired with her brother, I discovered so much uneasiness at my
situation, that Miss Snapper proposed to go home; and, while I conducted
her to a chair, told me she had too great a regard for me to keep me any
longer in torment. I feigned ignorance of her meaning, and having seen
her safely at her lodgings, took my leave, and went home in an ecstasy,
where I disclosed everything that had happened to my confidant and
humble servant, Strap, who did not relish the accident so well as I
expected; and observed, that a bird in the hand is worth two in the
bush. "But, however," said he, "you know best--you know best." Next day,
as, I went to the Pump Room, in hopes of seeing or hearing some tiding