Part 64 (2/2)

Knowing the habits of Sir Barnard to be precise, and pettish, so that if I counteracted the arrangereeable te, to return as soon as possible to the stranger About two in the afternoon, I was riding through the park for this purpose: and here another incident occurred; which, though it excited extreht

A few days before, I had witnessed a lady on a run-away horse, as seized with fright, dropped froly She would have been in no danger, if she had behaved but with the ordinary resolution of a man; and the accident led me to reflect on the ill education to which women are subjected They seem to be esteemed by men in proportion as they are helpless, timid, and dependent It is supposed they cannot be affectionate unless their leading feature be ie over the Serpentine river, two ladies and a gentle round; and went off in a hand gallop toward Kensington gardens I was riding fast, at no great distance; and perceived it to be Olivia, her aunt, and some person whom I did not know Olivia wasrushed by hi

The horse of Olivia had previously been put upon his an to plunge, and kick, in athen turned frohest in motion; and the horse ihtened, began to gallop after her I was obliged to do the sa of feet behind did but increase the fury of the runaway horse

Terrified however as I hen I first noticed the vicious propensities of the horse, the courage of Olivia was such, her seat was so fir curb rein, that I felt a confidence she would overpower the horse; if the fear and folly of some other person should do no mischief I therefore followed at a proper distance; and, when I saw several horsemen who attempted to cross her, I shouted and waved my hat for them to keep off

My hopes were justified She avoided every danger, by her ement and presence of mind; and, by her use of the curb and the aid of the wall at the end of the ride, arrested the course of the interoo from my saddle, I seized the reins and held them till the servant arrived I then enjoyed one more rapturous moment, such as I had indeed but little foreseen: I received her in my arms

Not a minute before, how firm and collected had her mind and actions been: but no sooner did she feel my embrace than her frame was suffused A thousand ideas, that had no relation to the danger which her own fortitude had escaped, immediately rushed upon her; she sunk upon my shoulder, and burst into a flood of tears They were the heart casings of ten thousand of the foregone anxieties of love

How could I have hated the broad day, and the prying eyes that were upon us! Hoelcoe have been! My adventurous spirit would then have surely imprinted the first kiss of love! as chaste as it would have been ecstatic

This bliss, alas, was not to be The crowd approached I pressed her hand, and, as an assurance of fidelity, she gently returned the token of kindness SuchI ain requested she would not mount the unruly horse; and she replied, with a heavenly smile, 'Have no fear for me I will be careful of myself;' to which she added in a lohisper: 'for my preserver's sake!'

Oh moments of unutterable bliss! Who can estih a life, such as the dull round of cos can yield

Did not s ofwithin? Oh yes! And in the sae she involuntarily replied He who shall suppose there was one eht not approve cannot comprehend Olivia They were emanations such as those only who have souls, as well as bodies, are acquainted with

The tide of ecstacy must turn The aunt came up, I bowed, she returned my salute in a manner that shewed her mind was affected by contradictory euided his head toward the Park gate; through which I passed; feeling, at the ate of paradise

I had not however left all my heaven behind me No: I bore with me ample stores for delicious revery The fortitude of Olivia, the firrace hich she kept her seat, her ad courage at onetenderness at the next, were not the food but the feast of love

In this revelry of the ied, till I arrived at the inn; where I found the physician, agreeable to appointer still continued insensible: but that the symptoms appeared to be rather more than less favourable

I re soed me to depart I then left a sufficient su the stranger to his care, reluctantly returned to town

Though I had obtained a promise, from the physician, that the patient should be removed to his own home, as soon as it should be discovered, or to the house of the physician, whenever itwhether to leave him to the ht take a journey to visit the free and independent electors of an English borough, were faithfully to fulfill the duties of humanity Add to which the venerable and benevolent appearance of the stranger was so unco iination

But it was necessary to decide, and I acted asas best, I adopted that which appeared to be the h of the Baronet: Independent electors, and their motives satisfactorily explained: Evil coer to ht wish again to be bribed_

The followingat the hour appointed, Sir Barnard and I set off for the borough of : at which we arrived without delay or accident