Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/162



The next evening, after the usual civilities had passed between David and Cynthia, she, at his request, went on with her story.

"I spent the whole time I was abroad in misery; because my Lady chose to see me unhappy, and sighing at her tyranny, instead of viewing me always (which she might have done) with cheerful looks, and a countenance expressive of the most grateful acknowledgments, for owing a life of ease and plenty to her benevolence."

David, whose only pleasure was in giving it to others, was more amazed at this account of my Lady 's behaviour, than he would have been at the most surprising phenomenon in nature: but he had so much curiosity to know the end of Cynthia's story, that he would not interrupt her; and she went on as follows

"Since our arrival in England, an accident has happened to me, which was as little thought on as wished for. My Lady has a nephew of about seventeen years of age, who, after the death of his father, will be Earl of, with a great estate. This young man took such a fancy to me, that the very first opportunity he had of speaking to me alone, he made me a proposal of marriage. This is, in my opinion, a very odd way of proceeding; but it is not very uncommon amongst men who think themselves so much above us, that there is no danger of a refusal; and consequently that they may be excused the usual forms on such occasions. I was at first so surprised, I knew not what to answer; but as soon as I could recollect my thoughts, and revolve in my mind the situation I was in, I told him that I was infinitely obliged to him for his good opinion