Her ladyship had too much penetration to mistake
his meaning; but, as she did not choose to encourage his advances,
pretended to interpret his intimation into a general compliment of
gallantry, and, in a jocose manner, desired he would not give her
any reason to believe his lucid interval was past. "In faith, my
lady," said he, "I perceive the fit coming on; and I don't see why
I may not use the privilege of my distemper, so far as to declare
myself one of your most passionate admirers."--" If you do," replied
her ladyship, "I shall not be fool enough to believe a madman,
unless I were assured that your disorder proceeded from your love;
and that this was the case, I suppose you will find it difficult
to prove."--"Nay, madam," cried the youth, "I have in this drawer
what will convince you of my having been mad on that strain; and,
since you doubt my pretension, you must give me leave to produce
my testimonials." So saying, he opened an escrutoire, and taking
out a paper, presented her with the following song, which he had
written in her praise, immediately after he was made acquainted
with the particulars of her story:
I.
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