Our young gentleman was nettled at this preliminary, to which,
however, he said he would adhere; and so well did he think himself
fortified with pride and resentment, that he resolved to behave
towards her with such indifference, as would, he hoped, mortify
her vanity, and thereby punish her for the implacability of her
disposition. Armed with these sentiments, he was next day introduced
by Godfrey to the bride, who received him with her usual sweetness
of temper and affability; and Emilia being present, he saluted her
with a distant bow, which she acknowledged with a cold courtesy,
and an aspect of ice. Though this deportment confirmed his
displeasure, her beauty undermined his resolution; he thought her
charms infinitely improved since their last parting, and a thousand
fond images recurring to his imagination, he felt his whole soul
dissolving into tenderness and love.
In order to banish those dangerous ideas, he endeavoured to enter
into a gay conversation with Sophy, on the subject of the approaching
ceremony; but his tongue performed its office awkwardly, his eyes
were attracted towards Emilia, as if they had been subject to the
power of fascination; in spite of all his efforts, a deep sigh
escaped from his bosom, and his whole appearance indicated anxiety
and confusion.
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