It was accordingly put into the hand of his
fair arbitress, who read it immediately with an audible voice. The
first two words of it were no sooner pronounced, than he started,
with great emotion, and raised himself upon his hand and knee, in
which posture he listened to the rest of the sentence; then sprang
upon his feet in the utmost astonishment, and, glowing with resentment
at the same time, exclaimed, "Hell and the devil! what's all that?
Sure you make a jest of me, madam!"--"Pray, sir," said Sophy, "give
me the hearing for a few moments, and then urge what you shall
think proper in your own defence." Having thus cautioned him, she
proceeded; but before she had finished one-half of the performance,
her gravity forsook her, and she was seized with a violent fit
of laughter, in which neither of the lovers could help joining,
notwithstanding the resentment which at that instant prevailed in
the breasts of both. The judge, however, in a little time, resumed
her solemnity, and having read the remaining part of this curious
epistle, all three continued staring at each other alternately
for the space of half a minute, and then broke forth at the same
instant in another paroxysm of mirth.
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