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 the violence of my love. She told me she was married and lived with her husband hard by, and was so much afflicted with a dropsy, and wasted by a consumption, that she had small of her recovery. Having expressed my sorrow, I questioned her about my friend Mrs. Sagely who I learned was still good health. This circumstance introduced inquiry into  conduct of Sir. Timothy Thicket; who  informed me had found  to  her brother so much against  that  found it impossible to undeceive him; but  Sir Timothy being seized with a fit of the apoplexy began to be apprehensive of death and to prepare for the great event, had sent for her brother, owned the brutal design he had upon her, and acquitted me of the assault, robbery, and correspondence with her which he had laid to me charge; after which confession, he lived about a month in a languishing condition, and was carried off by a second assult. Soon after, Freeman returned from his pretended appointment.

Every word that this dear creature spoke, rivetted the chains with which she held me enslaved. A little while after, the Squire staggered into the room, rubbing his eyes, and called for his tea, which he drank out of a small bowl, qualified with brandy. We sipped some in the ordinary way. Narcissa, in order to visit her aunt, and when Freeman and I proposed to take our leave, the