er, I questioned her about my good friend, Mrs.
Sagely, who, I learned to my great satisfaction, was in good health,
and who had by the encomiums she bestowed upon me after I was gone,
confirmed the favourable impression my behaviour at parting had made
on Narcissa's heart. This circumstance introduced an inquiry into the
conduct of Sir Timothy Thicket, who (she informed me) had found means to
incense her brother so much against me that she found it impossible
to undeceive him: but, on the contrary, suffered very much in her own
character by his scandalous insinuations; that the whole parish was
alarmed, and actually in pursuit of me; so that she had been in the
utmost consternation on my account, well knowing how little my own
innocence and her testimony would have weighed with the ignorance,
prejudice, and brutality of those who must have judged me, had I
been apprehended; that Sir Timothy, having been seized with a fit of
apoplexy, from which with great difficulty he was recovered, began to be
apprehensive of death, and to prepare himself accordingly for that great
event; as a step to which he sent for her brother, owned with great
contrition the brutal design he had upon her, and in consequence
acquitted me of the assault, robbery, and correspondence with her, which
he had laid to my charge; after which confession he lived about a month
in a languishing condition, and was carried off by a second assault.

Every word that this dear creature spoke, riveted the chains with
which she held me enslaved! My mischievous fancy began to work, and
the tempest of my passion to wake again, when the return of Freeman
destroyed the tempting opportunity, and enabled me to quell the rising
tumult. A little while after, the squire staggered into the room,
rubbing his eyes, and called for his tea, which he drank out of a small
bowl, qualified with brandy; while we took it in the usual way, Narcissa
left us in order to visit her aunt; and when Freeman and I proposed to
take our leave, the foxhunter insisted on our spending the evening at
his house with such obstinacy of affection, that we were obliged to
comply. For my own part, I should have been glad of the invitation, by
which, in all likelihood, I should be blessed with more of his sisters
company, had I not been afraid of risking her esteem, by entering into
a debauch of drinking with him, which, from the knowledge of his
character, I foresaw would happen: but there was no remedy.