Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/254

 it would occasion her, to comply with their requests, and relate the history of her life; which she accordingly began as follows— "I was bred up from five years of age in a nunnery. Nothing remarkable happened to me during my stay there; but I spent my time sometimes with my companions in innocent amusements and childish pleasures, sometimes in learning such things as were thought by my governess to be most for my improvement. At fourteen, my father sent for me home, and indulged me in bringing with me a young lady, named Juliè, for whom I had taken a great fancy. I had not been long there before a gentleman, who often visited and dined with my father, made him a proposal of marrying me. He soon informed me of it; and although he did not absolutely command me to receive him as my lover, yet I plainly saw he was very much inclined to the match. This was the first time I had any opportunity of acting, or that I had ever considered of anything further than how to spend my time most agreeably from one hour to another. I immediately ran and told my companion what had passed, in order to consult with her in what method I should act; but was very much surprised when I saw her, from the moment I mentioned the gentleman's name, alternately blush and turn pale; and that when she endeavoured to speak, her voice faltered, and she could not utter her words. When she was a little recovered, she begged me to call for a glass of water, for she was suddenly taken very ill. I was in the utmost confusion, and knew not what to say; but was resolved, however, for the present, not to begin again on a subject which had shocked her so much. We both endeavoured to turn the conversation on indifferent things, but were so perplexed in our own thoughts, that it was impossible for us to continue long together without running