Page:The female Quixote, or, The adventures of Arabella (Second Edition).pdf/178

 I had no Reports of you, said she, but what my own Observation gave me; and that was sufficient to convince me of your Fault.

Why, Madam, said Edward, did your Ladyship see me steal the Carp then, which was the Fault unjustly laid to my Charge?

Mr. Glanville, as much Cause as he had for Uneasiness, could with great Difficulty restrain Laughter at this ludicrous Circumstance; for he guessed what Crime Arabella was accusing him of: As for the young Gentleman, he could not conceive what she meant, and longed to hear what would be the End of such a strange Conference. But poor Arabella was prodigiously confounded at his mentioning so low an Affair; not being able to endure that Glanville and her Protector should know a Lover of her's could be suspected of so base a Theft.

The Shame she conceived at it, kept her silent for a Moment: But, recovering herself at last, No, said she, I knew you better than to give any Credit to such an idle Report: Persons of your Condition do not commit such paltry Crimes.

Upon my Soul, Madam, said the young Gentleman, Persons of his Condition often do worse.

I don't deny it, Sir, said Arabella; and the Design he meditated of carrying me away was infinitely worse.

Really, Madam, returned the Gentleman, if you are such a Person as I apprehend, I don't see how he durst make such an Attempt.