He continued working at me till we joined Mrs. Thrale and the attorney-general.  And then Miss Thrale, stimulated by him, came to inquire if I had really taken anything amiss of her.  “No,” I assured her.

“Is it of me, then?” cried Mr. Crutchley, as if sure I should say no; but I made no other answer than to desire him to desist questioning me. . . .

He then grew quite violent, and at last went on with his questions till, by being quite silent, he could no longer doubt who it was.  He seemed then wholly amazed, and entreated to know what he had done; but I tried only to avoid him.

Soon after the attorney-general took his leave, during which ceremony Mr. Crutchley, coming behind me, exclaimed,-

“Who’d think of this creature’s having any venom in her”

“Oh, yes,” answered I, “when she’s provoked.”

" But have I provoked you?”

Again I got off.  Taking Miss Thrale by the arm, we hurried 207

away, leaving him with Mrs. Thrale and Miss Owen.  He was presently, however, with us again ; and when he came to my side and found me really trying to talk of other matters with Miss Thrale, and avoid him, he called out,-

“Upon my life, this is too bad!  Do tell me, Miss Burney, what is the matter?  If you won’t, I protest I’ll call Mrs. Thrale, and make her work at you herself.”

“I assure you,” answered I, “that it will be to no purpose for I must offend myself by telling it, and therefore I shall mention it to nobody.”

“But what in the world have I done?”

“Nothing; you have done nothing.”

“What have I said, then?  Only let me beg your pardon, only let me know what it is, that I may beg your pardon.”

I then took up the teasing myself, and quite insisted upon his leaving us, and joining Mrs. Thrale.  He begged me to tell Miss Thrale, and let her mediate, and entreated her to be his agent; which, in order to get rid of him, she promised; and he then slackened his pace, though very reluctantly, while we quickened ours.  He was, however, which I very little expected, too uneasy to stay long away; and when we had walked on quite out of hearing of Mrs. Thrale and Miss Owen, he suddenly galloped after us.

“How odd it is of you,” said Miss Thrale, “to come and intrude yourself in this manner upon anybody that tries so to avoid you!”

“Have you done anything for me?” cried he.  I don’t believe you have said a word.”

“Not I, truly!” answered she; “if I can keep my own self, out of scrapes, it’s all I can pretend to.”

“Well, but do tell me, Miss Burney,—­pray tell me! indeed, this is quite too bad; I sha’n’t have a wink of sleep all night!  If I have offended you, I am very sorry indeed; but I am sure I did not mean—­”

“No, sir!” interrupted I, “I don’t suppose you did mean to offend me, nor do I know why you should.  I expect from you neither good nor ill,—­civility I think myself entitled to, and that is all I have any desire for.”