Sir William was not of a temper to abdicate any affair in which he had embarked, before success appeared absolutely unattainable.  Like Caesar, it was enough for him that the thing appeared possible to be done, to engage him to persevere.  He therefore begged leave to accompany his friend, and they set out together that very afternoon.

Beaufort Place, the habitation of Miss Frampton, was only six miles from Oxford.  And, as he knew that Sir Harry Eustace, the son of that lady’s mother by a second husband, was now upon a visit to his sister, sir William Twyford made no scruple of proceeding with his friend immediately to the house.

After a short general conversation, sir William drew the young baronet into the garden.  In the mean time sir Harry’s chariot was preparing, as he had fixed the conclusion of his visit for that evening.  After an interval of half an hour the servant brought word that the carriage was ready.  Sir Harry, who was a young man of little ceremony, bowed en passant before the parlour window, and immediately hurried away.

Sir William stood for some time at the door of the house after sir Harry had driven away.  Presently he observed another carriage advancing by the opposite road.  The liveries were flaunting and the attendants numerous.  They drew nearer, and he perceived that it was the equipage of lord Osborne.  Since therefore the lovers were to be so soon interrupted by the entrance of a new visitant, he thought proper immediately to enter the parlour.

He had only time to remark the air and countenance of Damon and the young lady.  They appeared mutually cold and embarassed.  He could trace in his friend the aukwardness and timidity of one who was unused to act a studied part.  Miss Frampton, with a countenance uninterested and inattentive, affected the carriage of a person who thought herself insulted.

Lord Osborne was now announced.  He was a young nobleman, that had spent a considerable part of his fortune upon the continent.  With a narrow understanding and a contracted heart, he had been able by habitual cunning and invincible effrontery, to acquire the reputation of a man of parts.  Courage was the only respectable quality, his possession of which could not be questioned.  He was a debauchee and a gamester.  There was no meanness he had not practised, there was no villainy of which he could not boast.  With this character, he was universally respected and courted by all such as wished to acquire the reputation of men of gaiety and spirit.  The ladies were all dying for him, as for a man who had ruined more innocence, and occasioned a greater consumption of misery, than any other man in the kingdom.