Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/351

 is it in the power of all your fortune to bribe me to do a criminal or mean action: and if your lordship has no other business with me, I must beg leave to desire my brother, and the man on earth I most esteem, to walk in again." He had too much confidence in his own charms to take an immediate denial; and as to her talking of the man she esteemed, he fancied she was grown weary of her brother, and had acquired a new gallant, which he thought looked well on his side. He used the most pressing arguments he could think on to make her comply, but all in vain: he imagined her not calling to her brother was an encouragement to him to proceed; but she was really afraid to let him know anything of the matter, dreading what might be the consequence. At last, when my lord found all his promises and fine speeches made no impression on her, he took his leave.

The moment he was gone, David, Valentine, and Cynthia flew into the room, and found Camilla in the utmost confusion: she knew not which way to act; had not an instant to consider; and could not resolve whether it was best for her to inform them of what had passed or no. Valentine hastily inquired if she had heard anything from their father; for he said he supposed she must know that lord while she lived at home. She replied. No, she had heard nothing, but that he lived in the same place where they left him. She stammered, and seemed to wish they would ask no more questions; but this put David on the rack, and he could not forbear being so inquisitive, that at last she was forced to tell them the whole truth, with the reserve only of the lord's title. Valentine flew into a violent passion; vowed he would find out who he was, and let him know no station should screen a man from his resentment who durst affront his sister. Poor Cynthia was