- It Was
Indeed The Picture Of Louisa, Which Her Father, Soon After Her Arrival,
Had Caused To Be Drawn By One Of The Best Painters At That Time In
Paris.
This sight gave him a double pleasure, because it, in some
measure, anticipated that of the original, and also convinced him that
she was not indifferent to the person she was with.
He was fixed in contemplation on this delightful copy, when the original
appeared in all the advantages that jewels and rich dress could give
her. - Tho' he loved her only for herself, and nothing could add to the
sincere respect his heart had always paid her, yet to see her so
different from what he expected, filled him with a surprize and a kind
of enforced awe, which hindered him from giving that loose to his
transports, which, after so long an absence, might have been very
excusable; - and he could only say - my dear adorable Louisa, am I so
blessed to see you once more! - She met his embrace half way, and
replied, monsieur du Plessis, heaven has given me all I had to wish in
restoring to me so faithful a friend; - but come, continued she, permit
me to lead you to a father, who longs to embrace the protector of his
daughter's innocence. Your father, madam! cried he; yes, answered she;
in seeking a lover at Paris I found a father; Dorilaus is my father: - I
have acquainted him with all the particulars of our story, and, I
believe, the sincere affection I have for you will not be less pleasing
for receiving his sanction to it.
With these words she took his hand and led him, all astonishment, into
an inner room where Dorilaus was sitting, who rose to meet him with the
greatest politeness, and which shewed that to be master of, it was not
necessary to be born in France; and on Louisa's acquainting him with the
name of the person she presented, embraced him with the tenderness of a
father, and made him such obliging and affectionate compliments, as
confirmed to the transported du Plessis the character had been given
of him.
After the utmost testimonies of respect on both side, Dorilaus told his
daughter she ought to make her excuses to monsieur for having eloped
from the monastry where he had been so good to place her, which, said
he, I think you can do in no better a manner than by telling the truth,
and as I am already sufficiently acquainted with the whole, will leave
you to relate it, while I dispatch a little business that at present
calls me hence. He went out of the room in speaking this, and Louisa had
a more full opportunity of informing her lover of all she had suffered
since their parting, till this happy change in her fortune, than she
could have had in the presence of her father, tho' no stranger to her
most inmost thoughts on this occasion.
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