and acted such extravagances, that she might have
been convinced of my sincerity, had she not been satisfied of my honour
before. As soon as was in condition to yield attention, she described
the present situation of her mistress, who had no sooner reached her
lodgings the night before, than she closeted her, and in a rapture of
joy gave her to know that she had seen me at the ball, where I appeared
in the character which she always thought my due, with such advantage of
transformation that, unless my image had been engraven on her heart, it
would have been impossible to know me for the person who had worn her
aunt's livery; that by the language of my eyes, she was assured of
the continuance of my passion for her, and consequently of my being
unengaged to any other; and that, though she did not doubt I would
speedily fall upon some method of being introduced, she was so impatient
to hear of me, that she (Miss Williams) had been sent abroad this very
morning, on purpose to learn the name and character I at present bore.
My bosom had been hitherto a stranger to such a flood of joy as now
rushed upon it; my faculties were overborne by the tide; it was some
time before I could open my mouth, and much longer ere I could utter
a coherent sentence. At length, I fervently requested her to lead
me immediately to the object of my adoration; but she resisted my
importunity, and explained the danger of such premature conduct. "How
favourable soever," said she, "my lady's inclination towards you may
be, you may depend upon it, she will not commit the smallest trespass on
decorum, either in disclosing her own, or in receiving a declaration
of your passion: and, although the great veneration I have for you has
prompted me to reveal what she communicated to me in confidence, I know
so well the severity of her sentiments with respect to the punctilios of
her sex that, if she should learn the least surmise of it, she would not
only dismiss me as a wretch unworthy of her benevolence, but also for
ever shun the efforts of your love." I assented to the justness of
her remonstrance, and desired she would assist me with her advice and
direction: upon which it was concerted between us, that for the present
I should be contented with her telling Narcissa that, in the course of
her inquiries, she could only learn my name: and that, if, in a day
or two, I could fall upon no other method of being introduced to her
mistress, she would deliver a lette