 surpass it, it could not.—Was there ever, do you think, another so complete a wretch in female form? I would gladly hope not.
The amiable Sir Henry was much alarmed on reading the Major's letter; I saw his colour change as he perused it, and his eyes frequently turned on me—was it possible he could really for a moment fear my resentment was over, because his friend had proved he was not quite so great a villain as I had believed him?—Or rather made an attempt to prove it, for in fact, I do not find him much less so than he was before; her Ladyship being so very vile a creature does not excuse him; whatever he might, by her arts, be persuaded to believe, it is impossible to justify him—nay, I think

his base, his ungenerous behaviour to me afterward was infinitely the more unpardonable.—Was he not, Sophia, the most abandoned of mankind! Could he, because he believed me so cruelly injured by another, have wished to render me still more miserable?—Ah! No, no!—None but a libertine, like himself, could have been capable of forming so execrable a design—Well may he despair of regaining my esteem—heaven forbid I should be so lost to every sense of honour and delicacy, as to be able to beslow it on so unworthy an object.
Lady Mary, as well as myself, observed Sir Henry's emotions.
Ah, (cried she smiling) poor Sir Henry has now no chance; he may even take refuge on the nearest friendly willow he can meet with; to be sure our Emily cannot be so cruel as to refuse her pardon to his Lordship; you see he is not quite so black as his friend would persuade us, and we foolishly believed him; she is too good a Christian, I hope, not to forget and forgive, besides, you find he repents most seriously.
Ah, Lady Neville, spare your raillery, do not torture me by.…

Nay, Sir Henry (interrupting him) I I beseech you spare me, you surely pay me a wretched compliment, while you suppose it possible I can ever feel any sentiments but those of horror and contempt for so worthless a being—could I ever look upon him in a more favourable light I should little merit that friendship and esteem with which you honour me.—I believe, Sophia, I looked rather grave.
He threw himself at my feet and (respectfully taking my hand) cried, never, my adorable Emily, will I rese from this humble posture till you have smiled forgiveness
