 on those essentials.
But here was the stress of the joke: he took her really for what she appear'd to
be, a smock-fac'd boy; and she, forgetting her dress, and of course ranging
quite wide of his ideas, took all those addresses to be paid to herself as a
woman, which she precisely owed to his not thinking her one. However, this
double error was push'd to such a height on both sides, that Emily, who saw
nothing in him but a gentleman of distinction by those points of dress to which
his disguise did not extend, warmed too by the wine he had ply'd her with, and
the caresses he had lavished upon her, suffered herself to be persuaded to go to
a bagnio with him; and thus, losing sight of Mrs. Cole's cautions, with a blind
confidence, put herself into his hands, to be carried wherever he pleased. For
his part, equally blinded by his wishes, whilst her egregious simplicity
favoured his deception more than the most exquisite art could have done, he
supposed, no doubt, that he had lighted on some soft simpleton, fit for his
purpose, or some kept minion broken to his hand, who understood him perfectly
well and enter'd into his designs. But, be that as it would, he led her to a
coach, went into it with her, and brought her to a very handsome apartment, with
a bed in it; but whether it was a bagnio or not, she could not tell, having
spoken to nobody but himself. But when they were alone together, and her
enamorato began to proceed to those extremities which instantly discover the
sex, she remark'd that no description could paint up to the life the mixture of
pique, confusion and disappointment that appeared in his countenance, joined to
the mournful exclamation: »By heavens, a woman!« This at once opened her eyes,
which had hitherto been shut in downright stupidity. However, as if he had meant
to retrieve that escape, he still continu'd to toy with and fondle her, but with
so staring an alteration from extreme warmth into a chill and forced civility,
that even Emily herself could not but take notice of it, and now began to wish
she had paid more regard to Mrs. Cole's premonitions against ever engaging with
a stranger. And now an excess of timidity succeeded to an excess of confidence,
and she thought herself so much at his mercy and discretion, that she stood
passive throughout the whole progress of his
