"Where I most sincerely wish I now was!"
"How conscious you must be, all beautiful that you are, that those charming airs serve only to heighten the bloom of your complexion!"
"Your freedom, Sir, where you are more acquainted, may perhaps be less disagreeable; but to me -"
"You do me justice," cried he, interrupting me, "yes, I do indeed improve upon acquaintance; you will hereafter be quite charmed with me."
"Hereafter, Sir, I hope I shall never-"
"O hush!-hush!-have you forgot the situation in which I found you?-Have you forgot, that when deserted, I pursued you,-when betrayed, I adored you?-but for me-"
"But for you, Sir, I might perhaps have been happy."
"What then, am I to conclude that, but for me, your partner would have appeared?-poor fellow!-and did my presence awe him?"
"I wish his presence, Sir, could awe you!"
"His presence!-perhaps then you see him?"
"Perhaps, Sir, I do," cried I, quite wearied of his raillery.
"Where? Where?-for Heaven's sake show me the wretch!"
"Wretch, Sir!"
"O, a very savage!-a sneaking, shame-faced, despicable puppy!"
I know not what bewitched me-but my pride was hurt, and my spirits were tired, and-in short, I had the folly, looking at Lord Orville, to repeat, "Despicable, you think?"
His eyes instantly followed mine; "Why, is that the gentleman?"
I made no answer; I could not affirm, and I would not deny:-for I hoped to be relieved from his teasing by his mistake.
The very moment we had done what he called our duty, I eagerly desired to return to Mrs. Mirvan.
"To your partner, I presume, Madam?" said he, very gravely.
This quite confounded me. I dreaded lest this mischievous man ignorant of his rank, should address himself to Lord Orville, and say something which might expose my artifice. Fool! to involve myself in such difficulties! I now feared what I had before wished; and therefore, to avoid Lord Orville, I was obliged myself to propose going down another dance, though I was ready to sink with shame while I spoke.
"But your partner, Ma'am?" said he, affecting a very solemn air, "perhaps he may resent my detaining you: if you will give me leave to ask his consent-"
"Not for the universe."
"Who is he, Madam?"
I wished myself a hundred miles off. He repeated his question, "What is his name?"