"'Pon honour, cried sir Charles, you are very facetious. But we heard, Mr. Burchel, you were ran away with. It must have been very alarming. I vow, I should have been quite fluttered. Pray, sir, how was it? "Why, indeed, interposed Mr. Townshend, the very relation seemed to disturb sir Charles. For my part, I was more alarmed for him than for Miss Bromley. "Well, but, returned Bromley, impatiently, it is a queer affair. I hope as the lady went so far, you were not shy. You have not spoiled all, and affronted her. "Oh, surely not, exclaimed Townshend, you do not suspect him of being such a boor. Doubtless every thing is settled by this time. The lady has a fine fortune, Burchel; poets do not meet with such every day; Miss Bromley, you look pale. "Ha! Ha! Ha! you do me infinite honour, cried Louisa, making him a droll curtesy; what think you, sir Charles? "'Pon my soul, I never saw you look so bewitchingly. "Well, but my lad, cried Bromley, you say nothing, don't answer a single question. What, mum's the word, eh? "Indeed, sir, I do not know,--I do not understand--the affair is entirely a mystery to myself--it is in the power of no one but Miss Seymour to explain it. "Well, and where is she? where is she? "O I will go and look her, cried Louisa; will you come, Sir Charles; and immediately tripped out of the room. Sir Charles followed. "Olivia had remained in too much confusion to withdraw farther than the next room; and upon this new intrusion, she threw herself upon a sopha, and covered her face with her hands. "O here is the stray bird, exclaimed Louisa, fluttering in the meshes. "Mr. Bromley immediately entered; Mr. Townshend followed; Burchel brought up the rear. "My dearest creature, cried Louisa, do not be alarmed. We are come to wish you joy; and seized one of her hands. "Well, but where's the parson? exclaimed Bromley--What, has grace been said, the collation served, and the cloth removed? Upon my word, you have been very expeditious, Miss. "My God, Bromley, said Townshend, do not reflect so much upon the ladies modesty. I will stake my life they were not to have been married these three days. "Olivia now rose from the sopha in unspeakable agitation, and endeavoured to defend herself. Gentlemen, assure yourselves,--give me leave to protest to you,--indeed you will be sorry--you are mistaken------Oh Miss Bromley, added she, in a piercing voice, and threw her arms eagerly about the neck of Louisa. "Mind them not, my dear, said Louisa; you know, gentlemen, Miss Seymour is studious; it was a point in philosophy she wished to settle; that's all, Olivia; and kissed her cheek. "Or perhaps, added Townshend,--the lady is young and inexperienced--she wanted a comment upon the bower scene in Cleopatra.