
orders being punctually performed, he grew more calm and tractable, recovered
his reflection so far, as to be ashamed of the extasy he had undergone, suffered
himself quietly to be undressed, and put to bed, where the fatigue occasioned by
his exercise at the masquerade, co-operated with the present dissipation of his
spirits to lull him in a profound sleep, which greatly tended to the
preservation of his intellects: not that he found himself in a state of perfect
tranquillity, when he waked about noon; the remembrance of what had passed
overwhelmed him with mortification. Emilia's invectives still sounded in his
ears; and while he deeply resented her disdain, he could not help admiring her
spirit, and in his heart did homage to her charms.
 

                                Chapter LXXXIII

He endeavours to reconcile himself to his Mistress, and expostulates with the
Uncle, who forbids him the House
 
In this state of division, he went home to his own lodgings in a chair; and
while he deliberated with himself, whether he should relinquish the pursuit, and
endeavour to banish her idea from his breast, or go immediately and humble
himself before his exasperated mistress, and offer his hand, as an atonement for
his crime, his servant put in his hand a packet, which had been delivered by a
ticket-porter at the door. He no sooner perceived that the superscription was in
Emilia's hand-writing, than he guessed the nature of the contents; and opening
the seal with disordered eagerness, found the jewels he had given to her,
inclosed in a billet couched in these words.
 
        »That I may have no cause to reproach myself with having retained the
        least memorial of a wretch whom I equally despise and abhor, I take this
        opportunity of restoring these ineffectual instruments of his infamous
        design upon the honour of
                                                                         EMILIA«
 
His chagrin was so much galled and inflamed by the bitterness of this
contemptuous message, that he gnawed his fingers till the blood ran over his
nails, and even wept with vexation. Sometimes he vowed revenge against her
haughty virtue, and reviled himself for his precipitate declaration, before his
scheme was brought to maturity; then he would consider her behaviour with
reverence and regard, and bow before the irresistible power of her attractions.
In short, his breast was torn by conflicting passions; love, shame, and remorse
contended with vanity, ambition, and revenge; and the superiority was still
doubtful, when headstrong desire interposed, and decided in favour of an attempt
towards a reconciliation with the offended fair.
    Impelled by this motive, he set out in the afternoon for the house of her
uncle
