the ways that would not have rendered me unworthy
of it; but I now come, madame, not as myself, but as the ambassador of
another, and am engaged by my word and honour to plead a cause which, if
I succeed in, must be my own destruction.

Louisa was in the utmost consternation at the mystery which seemed
contained in these words: she looked earnestly upon him while he was
uttering the latter part, and saw all the tokens of a serious perplexity
in his countenance, as well as in the accents with which he delivered
them; but not being willing to be the dupe of his diversion, thought it
best to answer as to a piece of railery, and told him, laughing, she
imagined this was some new invention of the frolics of the season, but
that she was a downright English-woman, understood nothing beyond plain
speaking, and could no ways solve the riddle he proposed.

What I say, may doubtless appear so, madame; replied she, and I could
wish it had not been my part to give the explanation; but I cannot
dispense with the promise I have made, and must therefore acquaint you
with the history of it.

After the ball, continued he, monsieur the count de Bellfleur desired me
to accompany him to his lodgings, and, as soon as we were alone, told
me, he had a little secret to acquaint me with, but that, before he
revealed it, he must have the promise of my assistance. As he spoke this
with a gay and negligent air, I imagined it a thing of no great
consequence, or if it were, he was a man of too much honour, and also
knew me too well to desire or expect I would engage in any thing
unbecoming that character: indeed I could think of nothing but an amour
or a duel, tho' I was far from being able to guess of what service I
could be to him in the former. I was, however, unwarily drawn in to give
my word, and he then made me the confident of a passion, which, he said,
had received its birth from the first moment he beheld the Belle
Angloise, for by that term, pursued he, bowing, he distinguished the
adorable Louisa: that he had made some discovery of his flame, but that
finding; himself rejected, as he thought, in too severe a manner, and
without affording him opportunity to attest his sincerity, he had
converted his addresses, tho' not his passion, to a lady who, he
perceived, had the care of her, acting in this manner, partly thro'
picque at your disdain, and partly to gratify his eyes with the sight of
you, which he has reason to fear you had totally de