Every word that this dear creature spoke, riveted the chains with
which she held me enslaved! My mischievous fancy began to work,
and the tempest of my passion to wake again, when the return of
Freeman destroyed the tempting opportunity, and enabled me to quell
the rising tumult. A little while after, the squire staggered into
the room, rubbing his eyes, and called for his tea, which he drank
out of a small bowl, qualified with brandy; while we took it in the
usual way, Narcissa left us in order to visit her aunt; and when
Freeman and I proposed to take our leave, the foxhunter insisted
on our spending the evening at his house with such obstinacy of
affection, that we were obliged to comply. For my own part, I should
have been glad of the invitation, by which, in all likelihood, I
should be blessed with more of his sisters company, had I not been
afraid of risking her esteem, by entering into a debauch of drinking
with him, which, from the knowledge of his character, I foresaw
would happen: but there was no remedy. I was forced to rely upon the
strength of my constitution, which I hoped would resist intoxication
longer than the squire's, and to trust to the good nature and
discretion of my mistress for the rest.
Pages:
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631
632
633
634
635
636