 true Goodness, and be, at the same time, ashamed of it.
    But if I was surprised at what had past at this Visit, how much more was I
surprised the next Morning, when he came very early to my Chamber, and told me
he had not been able to sleep one Wink at what had past between us! There were
some Words of yours, says he, which must be further explained before we part.
You told me, Sir, when you found me in that Situation, which I cannot bear to
recollect, that you thought I could not appear in one more becoming my
Character; these were the Words, I shall never forget them. Do you imagine that
there is any of the Dignity of a Man wanting in my Character? Do you think that
I have, during my Sister's Illness, behaved with a Weakness that savours too
much of Effeminacy? I know how much it is beneath a Man to whine and whimper
about a trifling Girl as well as you, or any Man; and if my Sister had died, I
should have behaved like a Man on the Occasion. I would not have you think I
confined myself from Company merely upon her Account. I was very much disorder'd
myself. And when you surprised me in that Situation, I repeat again in that
Situation, her Nurse had not left the Room three Minutes, and I was blowing the
Fire for fear it should have gone out. - In this Manner he ran on almost a
Quarter of an Hour, before he would suffer me to speak. At last, looking
stedfastly in his Face, I asked him if I must conclude that he was in earnest. -
In earnest, says he, repeating my Words; Do you then take my Character for a
Jest! Lookee, Sir, said I, very gravely, I think we know one another very well;
and I have no Reason to suspect you should impute it to Fear, when I tell you, I
was so far from intending to affront you, that I meant you one of the highest
Compliments. Tenderness for Women is so far from lessening, that it proves a
true manly Character. The manly Brutus shewed the utmost Tenderness to his
Porcia; and the great King of Sweden, the bravest, and even fiercest of Men,
shut himself up three whole Days in the midst of a Campaign, and would see no
Company on the Death of a favourite Sister. At these Words, I saw his Features
soften; and he cry'd out, D-n me, I admire
