 in a rapture of hope, which deprived me of my appetite
for that meal, and sent me home in the evening to indulge my contemplation.
    Early next day, I was favoured with another epistle from my unknown charmer,
signifying her unutterable joy at the receipt of mine, which, while it made a
tender of my heart, convinced her of the value of it. Above all things, she
professed extreme pleasure in finding me so much attached to her understanding,
a circumstance that not only flattered her in the most sensible part, but at the
same time argued my own sagacity. - As for the interview I desired, she assured
me, that I could not be more eager for such an occasion than she; but she must
not only sacrifice a little more to decorum, but be satisfied of my honourable
intentions, before she would grant that request: Mean while, she gave me to
understand, that although she might owe some deference to the opinion of certain
persons, she was resolved, in an affair that so nearly concerned her happiness,
to consult her own inclination, preferably to the advice of the whole world;
especially, as she was urged to such condescension by no consideration of
fortune, what she depended upon, being her own without restriction or controul.
- Struck with admiration at the philosophy and self-denial of my mistress, who
seemed insensible of the beauty she possessed; and in particular, ravished with
that piece of intelligence, by which I learned her fortune was independent, I
resumed the pen, launched out into encomiums of the dignity of her sentiments,
affected to undervalue the charms of external beauty, pretented to ground my
passion on the qualities of her mind; complained of her rigour, in sacrificing
my repose to an overscrupulous regard to decorum, and declared the purity of my
designs in the most solemn and pathetic vows. - This performance being sealed
and directed, was sent to the place appointed, by Strap, who, that we might be
still the more confirmed in our belief, renewed his watch, and in a little time
brought back the same information as before, with this addition, that Miss
Sparkle, (the name of my supposed correspondent) looking out at the window, no
sooner saw the messenger arrive, than she shut the casement in a sort of
beautiful confusion, and disappeared; eager, no doubt, to hear from the dear
object of her love.
    My doubts now vanished, the long expected port appeared, and I looked upon
myself as perfectly secure of that happiness I had been in quest of so long. -
After dinner
