“You teach me, then, my Lord, the inference I might expect, if I complied.”
“And can you wonder I should seek to hasten the happy time, when no scruples, no discretion will demand our separation? and the most punctilious delicacy will rather promote, than oppose, my happiness in attending you?”
To this I was silent, and he re-urged his request.
“My Lord,” said I, “you ask what I have no power to grant. This journey will deprive me of all right to act for myself.”
“What does Miss Anville mean?”
“I cannot now explain myself; indeed, if I could, the task would be both painful and tedious.”
“O, Miss Anville,” cried he, “when may I hope to date the period of this mystery? when flatter myself that my promised friend will indeed honour me with her confidence?”
“My Lord,” said I, “I mean not to affect any mystery,-but my affairs are so circumstanced, that a long and most unhappy story can alone explain them. However, if a short suspense will give your Lordship any uneasiness,-”
“My beloved Miss Anville,” cried he, eagerly, “pardon my impatience!-You shall tell me nothing you would wish to conceal,-I will wait your own time for information, and trust to your goodness for its speed.”
“There is nothing, my Lord, I wish to conceal,-to postpone an explanation is all I desire.”