His travelling trunk, which contained the books lent to Maria, had been sent to him, and with a part of its contents he bribed his principal keeper; who, after receiving the most solemn promise that he would return to his apartment without attempting to explore any part of the house, conducted him, in the dusk of the evening, to Maria’s room.

Jemima had apprized her charge of the visit, and she expected with trembling impatience, inspired by a vague hope that he might again prove her deliverer, to see a man who had before rescued her from oppression.  He entered with an animation of countenance, formed to captivate an enthusiast; and, hastily turned his eyes from her to the apartment, which he surveyed with apparent emotions of compassionate indignation.  Sympathy illuminated his eye, and, taking her hand, he respectfully bowed on it, exclaiming—­“This is extraordinary!—­again to meet you, and in such circumstances!” Still, impressive as was the coincidence of events which brought them once more together, their full hearts did not overflow.—­*

* The copy which had received the author’s last corrections breaks off in this place, and the pages which follow, to the end of Chap.  IV, are printed from a copy in a less finished state. [Godwin’s note]

[And though, after this first visit, they were permitted frequently to repeat their interviews, they were for some time employed in] a reserved conversation, to which all the world might have listened; excepting, when discussing some literary subject, flashes of sentiment, inforced by each relaxing feature, seemed to remind them that their minds were already acquainted.

[By degrees, Darnford entered into the particulars of his story.] In a few words, he informed her that he had been a thoughtless, extravagant young man; yet, as he described his faults, they appeared to be the generous luxuriancy of a noble mind.  Nothing like meanness tarnished the lustre of his youth, nor had the worm of selfishness lurked in the unfolding bud, even while he had been the dupe of others.  Yet he tardily acquired the experience necessary to guard him against future imposition.

“I shall weary you,” continued he, “by my egotism; and did not powerful emotions draw me to you,”—­his eyes glistened as he spoke, and a trembling seemed to run through his manly frame,—­“I would not waste these precious moments in talking of myself.

“My father and mother were people of fashion; married by their parents.  He was fond of the turf, she of the card-table.  I, and two or three other children since dead, were kept at home till we became intolerable.  My father and mother had a visible dislike to each other, continually displayed; the servants were of the depraved kind usually found in the houses of people of fortune.  My brothers and parents all dying, I was left to the care of guardians; and sent to Eton.  I never knew the sweets of domestic affection, but I felt the want of indulgence