Indeed, Sir!--indeed, Madam! replied she, I meant not to give Lord Darcey pain.--Then turning to him in a tender, soothing accent,--Your peace, my Lord, has never been lightly regarded by me.--Here he brighten'd up,--and said, taking her hand, You know not, Miss Powis, from the first moment I saw you, how ardent,--how steady has been my love. Why _then_ my Lord, resum'd she--_why_ endeavour to gain my affections, yet hide your preference for me from the _world_;--even from _myself?_--Think of the _day_ Lord Allen dined at the Abbey;--think what pass'd in a walk preceding _that_ you set out for town:--on both these,--on many others, how mysterious your conduct?--If you thought me worthy your regard, my Lord, why _such_ mysteries? For God's sake, my dear,--dear Miss Powis, said Darcey, suffer me to vindicate myself.--Pardon me, my Lord (continued the angel that harangued him) hear me patiently another moment, and I will listen to your vindication. She went on. From whence can I suppose, my Lord, your embarrassments proceeded, if not from _some_ entanglement grown irksome?--No; before I can promise _myself_ happiness, I must be first satisfied I do not borrow that _happiness_ from _another_. _Another_, Madam! repeated he, throwing himself at her feet:--May all my brighter prospects fly me;--may my youth be blighted by the loss of reason if I have ever lov'd _another!_ She was affected with the solemnity of his air: one pearly drop stray'd down her cheek;--one that escap'd the liquid body of tenderness assembled in her eyes:--she could not speak, but held out her snowy hand for him to be seated. He obey'd; and placing himself next her, so clearly accounted for that part of his conduct she call'd mysterious, that Mr. and Mrs. Powis both at once exclaim'd, Now, my dear, complete our felicity;--now all your _scruples must_ be over. And do you, said she, my tender, my indulgent parents, rising and throwing herself into their arms;--do you say it is in _my_ power to complete your felicity?--_Will_ confessing a preference for Lord Darcey;--_will_ declaring I wish you to prefer him to your daughter;--will _that_ complete it? My friend caught the blushing beauty from the arms of her parents, and, frantic with joy, folded her to his bosom, standing as if he wonder'd at his own happiness. What innocence in the look of Miss Powis, when she greatly acknowledg'd her heart!--How reverse from _this_ innocence, _this_ greatness, is the _prudish hypocrite_, who forbids _even_ her features to say she is susceptible of love! You may suppose a profusion of friendly acknowledgments fell to _my_ share; but I am not vain enough to repeat them. It is well Lady Elizabeth stands portress at the door of my heart:--there is such bustling and pushing to get in;--but, notwithstanding her Ladyship's vigilance, Miss Powis has slipp'd by, and sits perch'd up in the same corner with Darcey.