Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 3.djvu/79

 powered her. At twelve o'clock, we all retired to our apartments, and before I slept I spent some minutes in devotion, with vows of amendment which I fully intended to keep.

The next morning, Mr. Somerville joined us at breakfast. This was another trial of feeling for poor Emily, who threw herself into her father's arms, and sobbed aloud. Mr. Somerville shook me most cordially by the hand with both of his, and eagerly demanded the history of my extraordinary adventures, of which I gave him asmall abridgment. [had taken the opportunity of an hour's téte-d-téte with Emily, which Clara had considerately given us before breakfast, to speak of our anticipated union; and finding there were no other obstacles than those which are usually raised by "maiden pride and so natural, so becoming, and bashful coyness," so lovely in the sex, I determined to speak to the grey-beards on the subject.

To this, Emily at last consented, on my reminding her of my late narrow escapes. As