 would make no precipitate compliances of this kind, and that I would do
well to cultivate her brother's acquaintance, in the course of which, I would
not want opportunities of removing that reserve, which my mistress thought
herself obliged to maintain during the infancy of our correspondence. - In the
mean time, she promised to tell her lady that I had endeavoured by presents and
persuasions, to prevail upon her, (Miss Williams) to deliver a letter from me,
which she had refused to charge herself with, until she should know Narcissa's
sentiments of the matter; and said, by these means she did not doubt of being
able to open a literary communication between us, which could not fail of
introducing more intimate connexions.
    I approved of her counsel, and our appointment being renewed for next day,
left her with an intent of falling upon some method of being reconciled to the
Squire, who, I supposed, would be offended with the trick we had put upon him. -
With this view, I consulted Freeman, who from his knowledge of the Fox-hunter's
disposition, assured me there was no other method of pacifying him, than that of
sacrificing ourselves for one night, to an equal match with him in drinking:
This I found myself necessitated to comply with, for the interest of my passion,
and therefore determined to commit the debauch at my own lodgings, that I might
run no risk of being discovered by Narcissa, in a state of brutal degeneracy. -
Mr. Freeman, who was to be of the party, went, at my desire, to the Squire in
order to engage him, while I took care to furnish myself for his reception. - My
invitation was accepted, my guests honoured me with their company in the
evening, when Bruin gave me to understand that he had drank many tuns of wine in
his life, but was never served such a trick as I had played upon him the night
before. I promised to atone for my trespass, and having ordered to every man his
bottle, began the contest with a bumper to the health of Narcissa. - The toasts
circulated with great devotion, the liquor began to operate, our mirth grew
noisy, and as Freeman and I had the advantage of drinking small French claret,
the savage was effectually tamed before our senses were in the least affected,
and carried home in a kind of apoplexy of drunkenness.
    I was next morning, as usual, favoured with a visit from my kind and
punctual confidante, who telling me, she was permitted to receive my letters for
her
