And Perdita again perceived that he hesitated; and instantly had recourse to a new artifice to display her charms to their utmost advantage. Stooping down, she affected to arrange the ottoman in the most convenient manner for her feet;--but, in this attitude which seemed so natural, ingenuous, and artless, she revealed so much of the treasures of her bosom that no room was left for imaginings--and Charles Hatfield felt himself seized with a delirium in which he would have made over his soul to Satan had such been the price demanded for the possession of Perdita. “Miss Fitzhardinge,” he said, his voice almost subdued and his tongue parched through the maddening fierceness of passion, “on my honour as a gentleman, I swear that the offer I ere now made you was dictated by a feeling of friendship! Yes--of a friendship that sprang up in my soul in a single instant--that took birth in a moment--a friendship that prompted me to declare how proud and delighted I should be to act as your escort! For I am candid, frank, and ingenuous as I perceive _you_ to be,--and I will give you another proof of the existence of these qualities in respect to myself--even at the risk of offending you. From the first moment that I set foot in this room until now, I have experienced emotions such as I never felt before. In my delirium I apostrophised you as an angel of beauty;--and an angel of beauty must you indeed be to exercise such prompt--such speedy--such witching influence as that which has enthralled me. For it appears as if there were a spell upon me--an enchantment, from which there is no escape. Sweet lady, pardon me for having spoken thus frankly----” “I again assure you that I do not very readily take offence,” answered Perdita: then, laying her hand upon his--for the designing woman sought to excite him almost to madness--and again approaching her countenance so near his own that he could look into the depth of her large, wanton eyes,--she said, “You have made a certain avowal, and you have a right to expect a candid and unreserved reply from me. Then learn, Mr. Hatfield, that never should I have accepted your services as a _chaperon_--never should we have talked thus familiarly--never would you have been suffered to read so much of my disposition as within the last hour you have learnt--had not I likewise experienced a feeling of friendship at first sight for you!” “Oh! my God--this is happiness so unhoped--so unlooked for--so unexpected, that I am bewildered-dazzled--amazed!” murmured the young man, a mist obscuring his brain--and yet a glorious, lustrous, golden mist through which he seemed to catch glimpses of paradise. “Friendship did you say, charming lady? Yet is not friendship a dangerous word for lips like ours to breathe--and a dangerous sentiment for hearts like ours to feel?”