Page:Modern literature (1804 Volume 1).djvu/266

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

ever I see, mallicious and souldiers, with the colonels and captains, and sargents and cruperals, and sweet grenadiers, none of them, in my mind, is fit to carry a candle to the charming gentleman that had you in his arms." Maria looking down at the last observation, Nanny, to encourage her, "Don't be abashed, ma'am, you need not be ashamed; a more prittear leg I never see in my life, and besides——." But before this sentence was finished, Maria hurried away, desiring no farther elucidations. Our hero, as she entered the room, with considerate delicacy forbore every inquiry that could allude to the accident, which he knew she must wish to be buried in oblivion. As they proceeded, though he could not so far command himself as to avoid doing homage to her with his eyes, yet he avoided such topics as led to discussions concerning beauty and love.