“My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon
    the ladies modesty.  I will stake my life they were not to have
    been married these three days.

“Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and endeavoured to defend herself.  Gentlemen, assure yourselves,—­give me leave to protest to you,—­indeed you will be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of Louisa.

    “Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss
    Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to
    settle; that’s all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek.

    “Or perhaps, added Townshend,—­the lady is young and
    inexperienced—­she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in
    Cleopatra.

“Olivia suddenly raised her head and came forward, still leaning one arm upon Louisa.  Hear me, cried she; I will be heard.  What have I done that would expose me to the lash of each unlicenced tongue?  What has there been in any hour of my life, upon which for calumny to fix her stain?  Of what loose word, of what act of levity and dissipation can I be convicted?  Have I not lived in the solitude of a recluse?  Oh, fortune, hard and unexampled!

    “Deuce take me, cried sir Charles, whispering Townshend, if I
    ever saw any thing so handsome.

    “Olivia stood in a posture firm and collected, her bosom heaving
    with resentment; but her face was covered with blushes, and her
    eyes were languishing and sorrowful.

“For the present unfortunate affair I will acknowledge the truth.  Mr. Burchel to me appeared endowed with every esteemable accomplishment, brave, generous, learned, imaginative, and tender.  By what nobler qualities could a female heart be won?  Fashion, I am told, requires that we should not make the advances.  I reck not fashion, and have never been her slave.  Fortune has thrown him at a distance from me.  It should have been my boast to trample upon her imaginary distinctions.  I would never have forced an unwilling hand.  But if constancy, simplicity and regard could have won a heart, his heart had been mine.  I know that the succession of external objects would have made the artless virtues of Olivia pass unheeded.  It was for that I formed my little plan.  I will not blush for a scheme that no bad passion prompted.  But it is over, and I will return to my beloved solitude with what unconcern I may.  God bless you, Mr. Burchel; I never meant you any harm:  and in saying this, she advanced two steps forward, and laid her hand on his.

    “Burchel, without knowing what he did, fell on one knee and
    kissed it.

“This action revived the confusion of Olivia; she retreated, and Louisa took hold of her arm.  Will you retire, said Louisa?  You are a sweet good creature.  Olivia assented, advanced a few steps forward, and then with her head half averted, took a parting glance at Burchel, and hurried away.

    “A strange girl this, said Bromley!  Devil take me, if I know
    what to make of her.