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96 rebuke, "Have you no consolation for me; not one word of pity to offer? come—come, and sit by me; come, and prescribe for me." Far from exhibiting the languor of sickness, his countenance was flushed by an exhilarating glow.

Not deigning to give reply, and not wishing to indulge him in a notion of his self-importance by a second time leaving the room, Rosilia walked to the inner apartment in which she had been before seated, and resumed her work, where, after a short interval, Sir Howard followed. He placed himself opposite to her; a serene and majestic gravity invested her; his former levity vanished; he saw "virtue in her own shape; how lovely! saw and pined his loss!"

Sir Howard in the pursuit of Rosilia had been encouraged equally by her genuine sensibility and unaffected innocence, as by her alluring beauty. But when in removing the veil, which before only imperfectly concealed him, he disclosed his real character; her dignity, her purity rose so full upon his view, as deeply to penetrate him with the idea, that by the mere force of her virtue alone, she would be enabled to defend herself against the attacks of the most abandoned libertine in existence!

Thus meditating, he was half inclined to forsake the desperate plot he had combined by which to secrete her from her family. With a serious and respectful air he left his seat, inwardly ejaculating, strange and wondrous creature! and pressing his hand upon his bosom, bowed profoundly low, and departed.