It is very discomposing to the feelings to make love in the
presence of a third party; and Sir Norman had no intention of
wasting his time on anything, and went at it immediately. Taking
her hand, with a grace that would have beaten Sir Charles
Grandison or Lord Chesterfield all to nothing, he led her to a
couch, and took a seat as near her as was at all polite or
proper, considering the brief nature of their acquaintance. The
curtains were drawn; the lamp shed a faint light; the house was
still, and there was no intrusive papa to pounce down upon them;
the lady was looking down, and seemed in no way haughty or
discouraging, and Sir Norman's spirits went up with a jump to
boiling-point.
Yet the lady, with all her pretty bashfulness, was the first to
speak.
"I'm afraid, Sir Norman, you must think this a singular hour to
come here; but, in these dreadful times, we cannot tell if we may
live from one moment to another; and I should not like to die, or
have you die, without my telling, and you hearing, all my
gratitude. For I do assure you, Sir Norman," said the lady,
lifting her dark eyes with the prettiest and moat bewitching
earnestness, "that I am grateful, though I cannot find words to
express it.
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