Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/102

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

( 102 )

on his heel. Well. said I. you know where I am to be found at any time. When the ball broke up. I led her to her coach.

Next day. in the afternoon I waited on her at her lodgings. by permission in company with Chatter, and was very civily received by her mother with whom she lived. There was a good many fashionable people present and immediately after tea, a couple of card-tables were set. I was well enough content to lose a little money with a good grace that I might have an opportunity to say soft things in the mean time. She received my addresses with great gaiety. and pretended to laugh them off; yet I was persuaded I had made a conquest of her heart, and concluded myself the happiest man alive. Encouraged by these flattering ideas, I sat down again to cards, after super, and with great cheerfulness suffered myself to be cleared out of ten guineas more. It was late before I took my leave after being favoured with a general invitation: and when I got into bed the adventures of the day kept me from sleeping.

While my meditation was busied in planning out my future conduct, Mr. Banter favoured me with a visit: and after breakfast, when I was ready to go abroad, Strap brought me a letter directed to Mr. Random, Esq. which I found contained a challenge, couched in these very extraordinary terms:

Sir