Part 4 (1/2)

'I thought you contemned the plea of _sex_, as a sanction for weakness!'

'Though I disallow it as a natural, I admit it as an artificial, plea'

'Explain yourself'

'The character, you tell me, is modified by circumstances: the custoraded woman'

'I understand you: there is truth in your reiven it undue force'

I hesitated--s which I wished to say; but, however paradoxical, the manners of Mr Francis repressed, while they invited, confidence I respected his reason, but I doubted whether I could inspire his I conceived I could express e to request a correspondence, when he was silent on the subject That it would be a source of improvement tothe proposal He looked at estion, to which it dared not give utterance: he suspected the truth, but was unwilling to disturb the operations ofWe walked for some time in silence:--my companion struck into a path that led towards the house--listened to the village clock as it struck nine--and observed, the hour grew late He had distinguished me, and I was flattered by that distinction; he had supported ance of Mrs Morton, retorted the sly sarcasue in awe, and obliged him to rein in his offensive spirit, every rateful attach, in one instant, a hasty retrospect of the past, and a rapid glance into futurity, experienced at that , that I endeavoured in vain to repress its sensations, and burst into a flood of tears Mr Francis suddenly stopped, appearedaccents, enquired into the cause of an emotion so sudden and unexpected

I wept a few minutes in silence, and my spirits seemed, in some measure, relieved

'I weep,' (said I), 'because I am _friendless_; to be esteemed and cherished is necessary to my existence; I am an alien in the faer, and to whoo?'

He took ht be proper to say, because I perceive your mind is in a feeble state;--My affairs callat a distance'

I eagerly availedthe courage to propose

'Will you, then, allow h the medium of pen and paper, to address, to consult you, as I may see occasion?'

'Will I? yes, most cheerfully! Propose your doubts and state your difficulties, and we shall see,' (s hied to avail myself of this permission, and we proceeded slowly to the house, and joined the party in the supper rooht ofa look half curious, half sarcastic, towards me, exclai is such sweet sorrow!'

Mr Francis looked at her sternly, she blushed and was silent; Mr Montague was captious; Ann ain his attention Mrs Morton sat wrapped in nity; while Mr Morton, and his philosophic friend, canvassed the principles upon which an horizontal mill was about to be constructed on the estate of the former After a short and scanty meal, I retired to , and make breakfast for my friend before his departure

CHAPTER XIV

Mr Francis had ordered his horse to be ready at five o'clock I leftfor hi _farewel_ He was serene and chearful as usual, I soave ed h the Park to the porter's lodge, where the servant and horses waited his colistened as I bade him adieu, and reiterated my wishes for his safety and prosperity, while his features softened into a nity, as he returned htfully back towards the house, but the rich purple that began to illu sun, the freshness of the littered on every fragrant plant and flower, the soles, my heart swelled with devotional affections, it aspired to the Author of nature After having bewildered ourselves aion, in such situations, returns to the susceptiblecloud let fall a gentle, drizzling shower; sheltered beneath the leafy u oak, I rather heard than felt it; yet, the coolness it diffused seeenial with my disposition, while the tumult of the passions subsided into a delicious tranquillity

How s!--A very few hours converted this subli extended my walk beyond its accustoued toto my studies At the dinner hour I joined the family, each individual of which see to practise the common ceremonies of the occasion I was not sufficiently interested in the cause of these appearances to ned myself, in the intervals of the entertainment, to meditation

When the table was cleared, and the servants had withdrawn, perceiving the party not sociably inclined, I was about to retire--when Mrs Morton observed, with features full of a uest, Mr Francis, had, no doubt, left Morton Park gratefully iue reddened--bit his lips--got up--and sat down again The young ladies wore an air not perfectly good-humoured, and a little triumphant

Mr Morton looked very solemn

'I hope so, Madam,' I replied, somewhat carelessly 'I felt myself indebted to Mr Francis for his civilities, and was solicitous to make him all the return in ed'