relic with more
fervour than that with which I kissed this inimitable proof of my
charmer's candour, generosity, and affection! I read it over a hundred
times, was ravished with her confession in the beginning; but the
subscription of Your Narcissa yielded me such delight as I had never
felt before! My happiness was still increased by Miss Williams, who
blessed me with a repetition of her lady's tender expressions in my
favour, when she received and read my letter. In short, I had all the
reason in the world to believe that this gentle creature's bosom was
possessed by a passion for me, as warm, though perhaps not so impetuous
as mine for her.

I informed my friend of the squire's consent to my dancing with Narcissa
at the ball and desired her to tell her mistress, that I would do myself
the honour of visiting her in the afternoon, in consequence of his
permission, when I hoped to find her as indulgent as her brother had
been complaisant in that particular. Miss Williams expressed a good
deal of joy at hearing I was so much in favour with the foxhunter,
and ventured to assure me, that my visit would be very agreeable to my
mistress, the rather because Bruin was engaged to dine abroad. This was
a circumstance which, I scarce need say, pleased me. I went immediately
to the Long Room, where I found him, and, affecting to know nothing of
his engagement, told him, I would do myself the pleasure to wait upon
him in the afternoon, and to present his sister with a ticket for the
ball. He shook me by the hand, according to custom, and, giving me to
understand that he was to dine abroad, desired me to go and drink tea
with Narcissa notwithstanding, and promised to prepare her for my visit
in the meantime.

Everything succeeding thus to my wish, I waited with incredible
impatience for the time, which no sooner arrived than I hastened to
the scene, which my fancy had preoccupied long before. I was introduced
accordingly to the dear enchantress, whom I found accompanied by Miss
Williams, who, on pretence of ordering tea, retired at my approach. This
favourable accident, which alarmed my whole soul, disordered her also. I
found myself actuated by an irresistible impulse; I advanced to her with
eagerness and awe; and, profiting by the confusion that prevailed over
her, clasped the fair angel in my arms, and imprinted a glowing kiss
upon her lips, more soft and fragrant than the dewy rosebud just
bursting from the stem! Her face was