Booth made a modest answer to the compliment which Miss Matthews had paid him. This drew more civilities from the lady, and these again more acknowledgments; all which we shall pass by, and proceed with our history. Chapter vi. _Containing matters which will please some readers._ "Two months and more had I continued in a state of incertainty, sometimes with more flattering, and sometimes with more alarming symptoms; when one afternoon poor Atkinson came running into my room, all pale and out of breath, and begged me not to be surprized at his news. I asked him eagerly what was the matter, and if it was anything concerning Amelia? I had scarce uttered the dear name when she herself rushed into the room, and ran hastily to me, crying, 'Yes, it is, it is your Amelia herself.' "There is nothing so difficult to describe, and generally so dull when described, as scenes of excessive tenderness." "Can you think so?" says Miss Matthews; "surely there is nothing so charming!--Oh! Mr. Booth, our sex is d--ned by the want of tenderness in yours. O, were they all like you--certainly no man was ever your equal." "Indeed, madam," cries Booth, "you honour me too much. But--well--when the first transports of our meeting were over, Amelia began gently to chide me for having concealed my illness from her; for, in three letters which I had writ her since the accident had happened, there was not the least mention of it, or any hint given by which she could possibly conclude I was otherwise than in perfect health. And when I had excused myself, by assigning the true reason, she cried--'O Mr. Booth! and do you know so little of your Amelia as to think I could or would survive you? Would it not be better for one dreadful sight to break my heart all at once than to break it by degrees?--O Billy! can anything pay me for the loss of this embrace?'---But I ask your pardon--how ridiculous doth my fondness appear in your eyes!" "How often," answered she, "shall I assert the contrary? What would you have me say, Mr. Booth? Shall I tell you I envy Mrs. Booth of all the women in the world? would you believe me if I did? I hope you-- what am I saying? Pray make no farther apology, but go on."