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90 you gave me of that matchless girl! Loving her before I became acquainted with her, I could no longer subdue the desire I had to see her, and found her every thing, and more than you had represented her. Since that hour, my thoughts have never been estranged from her even for one instant of time. Other objects besides have shared with her in your attention. You could never bring yourself to the sacrifice of riches for her sake, unless gilded by fortune: marriage to you is a bitter pill. To me, what is it to me, the ceremony of matrimony? It is as nothing; I regard it not; but should hail it as a blessed institution, the consummation of all my bliss, if it put me into the possession of a Rosilia. I saw you trifling away your time with her, without profiting by the influence you held over her parents; and I, who loved her beyond the power of words to express, was I tamely to have submitted myself, and to have yielded to your prior claims, as you may please to call them. Nay, nay, Sir Howard, a word or two more, and I have done. Could it possibly be supposed I should set myself down a passive spectator and view the various changes in your passion, the indecision and wavering by which you were guided"—

"'Tis enough, enough, Sir," cried Sir Howard, interrupting him. "Tell me at once how far you have proceeded with Rosilia, and spare me your further reflections. Have you been enabled to excite a return of sentiment; think you that you are beloved? 'Tis all I wish to know."