I am sorry, said he, to find you have set your heart upon this fantastic girl: if ever she be your wife, which I very much doubt, she will make you very unhappy. But, Charles, pursued he, I would advise you to think no more of her; content yourself with the estate you gain by her refusal of you: with that addition to your own fortune, you may pretend to any lady whatever; and you will find many that are full as agreeable as your cousin, who will be proud of your addresses.
Indeed, sir, said Mr. Glanville, with a sigh, there is no woman upon earth whom I would choose to marry, but Lady Bella. I flattered myself I had been happy enough to have made some progress in her affection; but it seems I was mistaken; however, I should be glad to know if she gave you any reasons for refusing me.
Reasons! said Sir Charles: there is no making her hear reason, or expecting reason from her. I never knew so strange a woman in my life: she would not allow me to speak what I intended concerning you; but interrupted me every moment, with some high-flown stuff or other.
Then I have not lost all hopes of her, cried Mr. Glanville eagerly; for since she did not hear what you had to say, she could not possibly deny you.
But she behaved in a very impertinent manner to me, interrupted Sir Charles; complained of my harsh treatment of her; and said several other things, which, because of her uncommon style, I could not perfectly understand; yet they seemed shocking; and, upon the whole, treated me so rudely, that I am determined to leave her to herself, and trouble my head no more about her.
For God's sake, dear sir, said Mr. Glanville, alarmed at this resolution, suspend your anger till I have seen my cousin: there is some mistake, I am persuaded, in all this. I know she has some very odd humours, which you are not so well acquainted with, as I am. I'll go to her, and prevail upon her to explain herself.
You may do so, if you please, replied Sir Charles; but I fear it will be to very little purpose; for I really suspect her head is a little turned. I do not know what to do with her: it is not fit she should have the management of herself; and yet it is impossible to live upon easy terms with her.
Mr. Glanville, who did not doubt but Arabella had been guilty of some very ridiculous folly, offered nothing more in her justification; but, having attended his father to his own chamber, went to Arabella's apartment.
He found the pensive fair-one in a melancholy posture, her head reclined upon one of her fair hands; and though her eyes were fixed upon a book she held in the other, yet she did not seem to read, but rather to be wholly buried in contemplation.
Mr. Glanville having so happily found her alone (for her women were not then in her chamber) seated himself near her; having first asked pardon for the interruption he had given to her studies; and Arabella, throwing aside her book, prepared to listen to his discourse; which by the agitation which appeared in his looks, she imagined would be upon some extraordinary subject.