Page:Adventures of Roderick Random.pdf/135

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pression that my tongue was ashamed to declare. I will not scruple to own myself pleased with your passion, confident of your integrity, and so well convinced of my own discretion that I should not hesitate in granting you the interview you desire. were I not overawed by the prying curiosity of a malicious world the censure of which might by fatally prejudicial to the reputation of

Your Narcissa.

I kissed this inimitable proof of my charmer's candour, generosity, and affection!—I read it over an hundred times; was ravished with her confession in the beginning; but the superscription of Your Narcissa, almost overpowered my senses with joy. In short, I had all the reason in the world to believe that this gentle creature's bosom was possessed by a passion for me, as warm. though perhaps not so impetuous, as mine for her.

I informed my friend of the Squire's consent to my dancing with Narcissa at the ball, Miss Williams expressed a good deal of joy, at hearing I was so much in favour with the fox hunter. I went immediately to the long-room, where I found him, and told him I would do myself the pleasure to wait upon him in the afternoon, and to present his sister with a ticket for the ball. He shook me by the hand, and giving me to understand that he was to dine abroad, desired me to go and drink tea with Narcissa notwithstanding,

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