"O, very well, my Lord," answered she, "pray date the end of our speaking to each other as early as you please, I'll promise to agree to your time."
"You know, dear Madam," said he, sipping his tea, "you know I only live in your sight."
"O yes, my Lord, I have long known that. But I begin to fear we shall be too late for Ranelagh this evening."
"O no, Madame," said Mr. Lovel, looking at his watch, "it is but just past ten."
"No more!" cried she, "O then we shall do very well."
All the ladies now started up, and declared they had no time to lose.
"Why, what the D-l," cried the Captain, leaning forward with both his arms on the table," are you going to Ranelagh at this time of night?"
The ladies looked at one another, and smiled.
"To Ranelagh?" cried Lord -, "yes, and I hope you are going too; for we cannot possibly excuse these ladies."
"I go to Ranelagh?-if I do, I'll be -."
Everybody now stood up; and the stranger Lord, coming round to me, said, "You go, I hope?"
"No, my Lord, I believe not."
"O you cannot, must not be so barbarous." And he took my hand, and ran on, saying such fine speeches, and compliments, that I might almost have supposed myself a goddess, and him a pagan paying me adoration. As soon as I possibly could, I drew back my hand; but he frequently, in the course of conversation, contrived to take it again, though it was extremely disagreeable to me; and the more so, as I saw that Lord Orville had his eyes fixed upon us, with a gravity of attention that made me uneasy.
And, surely, my dear Sir, it was a great liberty in this lord, not withstanding his rank, to treat me so freely. As to Sir Clement, he seemed in misery.
They all endeavoured to prevail with the Captain to join the Ranelagh party; and this lord told me, in a low voice, that it was tearing his heart out to go without me.
During this conversation Mr. Lovel came forward, and assuming a look of surprise, made me a bow, and inquired how I did, protesting upon his honour, that he had not seen me before, or would have sooner paid his respects to me.
Though his politeness was evidently constrained, yet I was very glad to be thus assured of having nothing more to fear from him.