Miss Glanville was also highly delighted with the proposal; but Sir Charles, who could not conceive there could be any thing worth listening to, in a young rake's account of himself, got up with an intention to walk in the garden; when perceiving it rained, he changed his resolution, and resuming his seat, prepared to listen, as every one else did, to the expected story.
When Sir George, after having paused a quarter of an hour longer, during which all the company observed a profound silence, began his relation in this manner, addressing himself to Arabella.
[BOOK VI.]
[Chapter I.]
Containing the beginning of Sir George's history; in which the ingenious relator has exactly copied the style of romance.
Though at present, madam, you behold me in the quality of a private gentleman, in the possession only of a tolerable estate, yet my birth is illustrious enough: my ancestors having formerly worn a crown, which, as they won by their valour, so they lost by their misfortune only.
How! interrupted Sir Charles, are you descended from kings? Why, I never heard you say so before: pray, sir, how far are you removed from royal blood? and which of your forefathers was it that wore a crown?