er hand, which I well nigh devoured with kisses. But she checked
my boldness with a severity of countenance, and desired I would not so
far forget myself to her, as to endanger the esteem she had for me;
she reminded me of our being almost strangers to each other, and of the
necessity there was for her knowing me better, before she could take any
resolution in my favour; and, in short, mingled so much good sense
and complacency in her reproof, that I became as much enamoured of her
understanding as I had been before of her beauty, and asked pardon for
my presumption with the utmost reverence of conviction. She forgave my
offence with her usual affability, and sealed my pardon with a look so
full of bewitching tenderness, that, for some minutes, my senses were
lost in ecstacy! I afterwards endeavoured to regulate my behaviour
according to her desire, and turn the conversation upon a more
indifferent subject; but her presence was an insurmountable obstacle to
my design; while I beheld so much excellence, I found it impossible to
call my attention from the contemplation of it! I gazed with unutterable
fondness! I grew mad with admiration! "My condition is insupportable!"
cried I: "I am distracted with passion! Why are you so exquisitely
fair?--why are you so enchantingly good?--why has nature dignified you
with charms so much above the standard of woman? and, wretch that I am,
how dare my unworthiness aspire to the enjoyment of such perfection!"

She was startled at my ravings, reasoned down my transport, and by
her irresistible eloquence, soothed my soul into a state of tranquil
felicity; but, lest I might suffer a relapse, industriously promoted
other subjects to entertain my imagination. She chid me for having
omitted to inquire about her aunt who (she assured me), in the midst
of all her absence of temper, and detachment from common affairs, often
talked of me with uncommon warmth. I professed my veneration for the
good lady, excused my omission, by imputing it to the violence of my
love, which engrossed my whole soul, and desired to know the situation
of her health. Upon which, the amiable Narcissa repeated what I had
heard before of her marriage, with all the tenderness for her reputation
that the subject would admit of; told me she lived with her husband
hard by, and was so much afflicted with the dropsy, and wasted by a
consumption, that she had small hopes of her recovery. Having expressed
my sorrow for her distemp