Mr. Burchel, the happy lover, is an author, a young man of infinite genius, of romantic honour, of unbounded generosity.  Lord Raymond, the brother of Louisa, becomes acquainted with him in his travels, by an incident in which Mr. Burchel does him the most essential service.  Being afterwards introduced to his sister, and being deeply smitten with her beauty and accomplishments, he quits the house of lord Raymond abruptly, with a determination entirely to drop his connexion.  Sometime after, in a casual and unexpected meeting, he saves the life of his mistress.  In the conclusion, his unparalleled merit, and his repeated services surmount every obstacle to an union.

Besides these two there are many other characters happily imagined.  Louisa is involved in considerable distress previous to the final catastrophe.  The manner in which her gay and sportive character is supported in these scenes is beyond all commendation.  But the extract we shall give, as most singular in its nature, relates to another considerable female personage, Olivia.  As the humour of Louisa is lively and fashionable, that of Olivia is serious and romantic.  Educated in perfect solitude, she is completely ignorant of modern manners, and entertains the most sovereign contempt for them.  Full of sentiment and sensibility, she is strongly susceptible to every impression, and her conduct is wholly governed by her feelings.  Trembling at every leaf, and agonized at the smallest accident, she is yet capable, from singularity of thinking, of enterprises the most bold and unaccountable.  Conformably to this temper, struck with the character of Burchel, and ravished with his address and behaviour, she plans the most extraordinary attempt upon his person.  By her orders he is surprised in a solitary excursion, after some resistance actually seized, and conducted blindfold to the house of his fair admirer.  Olivia now appears, professes her attachment, and lays her fortune, which is very considerable, at his feet.  Unwilling however to take him by surprise, she allows him a day for deliberation, and insists upon his delivering at the expiration of it, an honest and impartial answer.  His entertainment is sumptuous.

In the mean time, a peasant, who at a distance was witness to the violence committed upon Burchel, and had traced him to the house of Olivia, carries the account of what he had seen to Raymond Place.  The company, which, in the absence of lord Raymond, consisted of Louisa, Mr. Bromley, an uncle, Sir Charles Somerville, a suitor, and Mr. Townshend, a sarcastic wit, determine to set off the next morning for the house of the ravisher.  This is the scene which follows.

“Alarmed at the bustle upon the stairs, Olivia, more dead than alive, pressed the hand of Burchel with a look of inexpressible astonishment and mortification, and withdrew to the adjoining apartment.

    “The door instantly flew open.  Burchel advanced irresolutely a
    few steps towards the company, bowed, and was silent.