He had found Horatio
and herself in the manner already related; and as they came towards the
arbour, It was here, said he, that heaven put into my power the
opportunity of affording my protection to two persons whom I think will
not be ungrateful for what I have done. - I hope, Louisa, continued he,
you will not at least deceive my good opinion of you; but as you have
always found in me a real friend, you will testify the sense you have of
my good wishes, by readily following my advice in any material point.
I should be else unworthy, sir, answered she, of the life you have
preserved; and I flatter myself with being guilty of nothing which
should give you cause to call in question either my gratitude or duty.
I insist but on the former, resumed he; nor can pretend to any claim to
the latter; - look on me therefore only as your friend, and let me know
your sentiments plainly and sincerely on what I think proper to ask you.
This she having assured him she would do, he pursued his discourse in
these or the like terms:
You are now, said he, arrived at an age when persons of your sex
ordinarily begin to think of marriage. - I need not ask you if you have
ever received any addresses for that purpose; the manner in which you
have lived convinces me you are yet a stranger to them; but I would know
of you whether an overture of that kind, in favour of a man of honour,
and who can abundantly endow you with the goods of fortune, would be
disagreeable to you.
Alas! sir, replied she, blushing, you commanded me to answer with
sincerity, but how can I resolve a question which as yet I have never
asked myself? - All that I can say is, that I now am happy by your
bounty, and have never entertained one wish but for the continuance
of it.
On that you may depend, said he, while you continue to stand in need of
it. But would it not be more pleasing to find yourself the mistress of
an ample fortune, and in a condition to do the same good offices by
others as you have found from me? - In fine, Louisa, the care I have
taken of you would not be complete unless I saw you well settled in the
world. - I have therefore provided a husband for you, and such a one as I
think you can have no reasonable objection to.
Sir, it would ill-become me to dispute your will, answered she,
modestly, but as I yet am very young, and have never had a thought of
marriage, nor even conversed with any who have experienced that fate, I
should be too much at a loss how to behave in it, without being allowed
some time to consider on its respective duties.
