After
a second review of the company, they engaged in country dances, at
which exercise they continued until our adventurer concluded that
his partner's blood was sufficiently warm for the prosecution of
his design. On this supposition, which was built upon her declaring
that she was thirsty and fatigued, he persuaded her to take a
little refreshment and repose; and, for that purpose, handed her
downstairs into the eating-room, where, having seated her on the
floor, he presented her with a glass of wine and water; and, as she
complained of being faint, enriched the draught with some drops
of a certain elixir, which he recommended as a most excellent
restorative, though it was no other than a stimulating tincture,
which he had treacherously provided for the occasion. Having swallowed
this potion, by which her spirits were manifestly exhilarated, she
ate a slice of ham, with the wing of a cold pullet, and concluded
the meal with a glass of burgundy, which she drank at the earnest
entreaty of her admirer. These extraordinary cordials co-operating
with the ferment of her blood, which was heated by violent motion,
could not fail to affect the constitution of a delicate young
creature, who was naturally sprightly and volatile.
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