Complete Pocket-Farrier; or, A Cure for all Disorders in Horses, read his Lordship aloud, looking over my shoulder; for such was the title of the book.

What have you here, my love?

My love, indeed!  Mighty free, mighty free, was it not, my Lady?  I could not avoid laughing at the drollery of this accident, or I should have given him the look he deserved.—­I thank God I am come to a state of indifference; and my time here is so short, I would willingly appear as little reserv’d as possible, that he might not think I have chang’d my sentiments since his declaring off:  though I must own I have; but my pride will not suffer me to betray it to him.

If he has distress’d me,—­if he has led my heart a little astray,—­I am recovered now:—­I have found out my mistake.—­Should I suffer my eye to drop a tear, on looking back, for the future it will be more watchful;—­it will guard, it will protect the poor wanderer.

He is very busy settling his affairs with Sir James:—­three hours were they together with Mr. Jenkings in the library;—­his books all pack’d up and sent away, to be sure he does not intend returning here again soon.

I suppose he will settle;—­he talks of new furnishing his house;—­has consulted Lady Powis upon it.—­If he did not intend marrying, if he had no Lady in his eye—­

But what is all this to me?  Can he or his house be of any consequence to my repose?—­I enjoy the thoughts of going to France without him:—­I suppose he will think me very sly, but no matter.—­

That good-natur’d creature Edmund would match me to a prince, was it in his power.—­He told me, yesterday, that he’d give the whole world, if I was not to go to France.—­Why so, Edmund?—­I shall see you again, said I, at my return to England.

Ay, but what will somebody do, in the mean time?

Who is somebody?

Can’t you guess, Miss Warley?

I do guess, Edmund.  But you was never more mistaken; the person you mean is not to be distress’d by my absence.

He is, upon my honour;—­I know he is.—­Lord Darcey loves you to distraction.

Poh!  Edmund; don’t take such things into your head:  I know you wish me well; but don’t be so sanguine!—­Lord Darcey stoop to think of me!

Stoop to think of you, Miss Warley!—­I am out of all patience:  stoop to think of you!—­I shall never forget that.—­Greatly as I honour his Lordship, if he conceals his sentiments, if he trifles in an affair of such importance,—­was he the first duke in the kingdom, I hold him below the regard even of such a one as I am.—­Pardon my curiosity, madam, I mean no ill; but surely he has made proposals to you.

Well, then, I will tell you, Edmund;—­I’ll tell you frankly, he never has made proposals:—­and further, I can answer for him, he never will.—­His belief was stagger’d;—­he stood still, his eyes fixed on the ground.