( 360 )
mistress, force me to . . . . desire—to request—that to-morrow morning—or any part of to-morrow . . . . it might be possible that I could . . . . or rather that you should be able to . . . . to hear something that . . . . that . . . ."
The total silence with which he listened, shewed so palpably his expectation of some competent reason for so singular an address, that her inability to clear herself, and her chagrin in the idea of forfeiting any part of an esteem which had proved so often her protection, grew almost insupportably painful, and she left her phrase unfinished; yet considered her commission to be fulfilled, and was moving away.
"To-morrow," he said, "I meant to have accompanied my brother, whose affairs—whatever may be his fate—oblige him to return to town: but if . . . . if to-morrow—"
He had now, to impede her retreat, stept softly between her and the staircase, and perceived, in her blushes, the
