When then may I hope?
I could have wished to have seen my friend, your sister, first: but
perhaps Sir Arthur may make some stay in London, and I should be sorry
to delay a moment longer than seems absolutely necessary. Let us both
consider what has passed this morning, and provided no new accident
should intervene--
Another leap from a rock?
Provided our approbation and esteem for each other should continue, and
increase, I will ask for no further delay, after we come to London.
Well, well. It is the poor lover's duty to thank his mistress for the
greatness of her condescension, even when he thinks she uses him
unkindly.
I was going to reply, but my enterprising gentleman--[Indeed, Louisa,
your brother is a bold youth]--snatched an unexpected embrace, with
more eagerness than fear, and then fell on one knee, making such a
piteous face for forgiveness, so whimsical, and indeed I may say witty,
that it was impossible to be serious. However, I hurried away, and thus
the conference ended.
And now, after reviewing what has passed, tell me, Louisa, ought I to
recede? Are not my hopes well founded? Must not the reiteration of
truth make its due impression, upon a mind like Clifton's? Can it fail?
Is he not the man who, for all the reasons formerly given, truly merits
preference?
I must not forget to tell you that Frank readily complied with your
request, and Clifton has seen the letters. He seems oppressed, as it
were, with a sense of obligation to Frank; which the latter endeavours
to convince him is wrong. Reciprocal duties, he says, always must exist
among mankind; but as for obligations, further than those, there are
none. A grateful man is either a weak or a proud man, and ingratitude
cannot exist; unless by ingratitude injustice be meant. Frank's
opinions appear to Clifton to be equally novel with mine; and must be
well understood, to escape being treated with mockery.
It is infinitely pleasing to me to perceive the fortitude with which
Frank resists inclination. He is almost as cheerful, and quite as
communicative, and desirous of making all around him happy, as ever.
His constancy, however, is not to be shaken, in one particular. I could
wish it were! It pains me to recollect that he will _persist, to the
end of time, in thinking me his, by right!_