She reddened at this peremptory charge, which had an evident effect
upon the countenances of the whole audience, when the accuser
proceeded to explain his imputation, by observing, that, in the
course of her narration, she had omitted to mention a thousand acts
of uncommon charity, of which he himself knew her to be guilty;
and that she had concealed a great many advantageous proposals of
marriage, which she might have accepted before she was engaged.
The company were agreeably undeceived by this explanation; which
her ladyship acknowledged in very polite terms, as a compliment
equally genteel and unexpected. And our hero, after having testified
the sense he had of her complaisance and condescension, in regaling
him with a mark of her confidence and esteem, took his leave, and
went home in a state of confusion and perplexity; for, from the
circumstances of the tale he had heard, he plainly perceived, that
her ladyship's heart was too delicate to receive such incense as
he, in the capacity of an admirer, could at present pay; because,
though he had in some measure abridged the empire of Emilia in his own
breast, it was not in his own power to restrain it so effectually,
but that it would interfere with any other sovereign whom his
thoughts should adopt; and unless Lady -- could engross his whole
love, time, and attention, he foresaw that it would be impossible
for him to support the passion which he might have the good fortune
to inspire.
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