( 119 )
vice, which was accepted. Having supped, and continued the game till a late hour, I took my leave, and went home. Next day I put on my gayest apparel, and went to drink tea at Mrs Snapper's, according to appointment, when I found she was indisposed, and that Miss was to be intrusted to my care. We set out for the ball-room pretty early in the evening, and took possession of a commodious place, where we had not sat long, when a gentleman, dressed in a green frock, came in leading a young lady, whom I immediately discovered to be the adorable Narcissa. Good heaven! what were the thrillings of my soul at that instant! I panted for want of breath; and, in short, was for some moments entranced! This first, tumult subsiding, a crowd of flattering ideas rushed upon my imagination: every thing that was soft, sensible and engaging in the character of that dear creature, recurred to my remembrance, and every favourable circumstance of my qualifications, appeared in all the aggravation of self-conceit, to heighten my expectation. Neither was this transport of long duration; the dread of her being already disposed of intervened, and overcast my enchanting revery! My presaging apprehension represented her encircled in the arms of some happy rival, and of consequence for ever lost to me. I was stung with this suggestion, and believing the person who con-
