He possessed a large fortune,
loved mischief, and stuck at nothing for the accomplishment of his
designs, one of his chief pleasures being that of setting any two
lovers at variance. He employed his address upon me with great
assiduity, and knew so well how to manage my resentment, that I
was pleased with his manner, heard his vows without disgust, and,
in a word, promised to deliberate with myself upon his proposals,
and give him an account of my determination in writing.
"Thus resolved, I went to Lord B--, in Wiltshire, whither I
was followed by this pretender to my heart, who visited us on the
footing of an acquaintance; but when I reflected on what I had done,
I condemned my own conduct as indiscreet, though nothing decisive
had passed between us, and began to hate him in proportion to the
self-conviction I felt, perceiving that I had involved myself in
a difficulty from which I should not be easily disengaged. For the
present, however, I found means to postpone my declaration. He
admitted my excuse, and I returned to London with Lord B--, who
was again summoned to the field by his former challenger.
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