 and twenty thousand pounds, he ventured to
declare his passion, and she not only heard him with patience and approbation,
but also replied in terms adequate to his warmest wish.
    Finding himself so favourably received, he pressed her to secure his
happiness by marriage; but, to this proposal, she objected the recency of her
kinswoman's death, which would have rendered such a step highly indecent, and
the displeasure of her other relations, from whom she had still greater
expectations, and who at that time importuned her to marry a cousin of her own,
whom she could not like. However, that M- might have no cause to repine at her
delay, she freely entered with him into an intimacy of correspondence; during
which, nothing could have added to their mutual felicity, which was the more
poignant and refined, from the mysterious and romantic manner of their enjoying
it; for, tho' he publickly visited her as an acquaintance, his behaviour, on
these occasions, was always so distant, respectful, and reserved, that the rest
of the company could not possibly suspect the nature of their reciprocal
attachment: in consequence of which, they used to have private interviews,
unknown to every soul upon earth, except her maid, who was necessarily intrusted
with the secret.
    In this manner they enjoyed the conversation of each other for above twelve
months, without the least interruption; and tho' the stability of Mr. M-'s
fortune intirely depended upon their marriage, yet as he perceived his mistress
so averse to it, he never urged it with vehemence, nor was at all anxious on
that score; being easily induced to defer a ceremony which, as he then thought,
could in no shape have added to their satisfaction, tho' he hath since altered
his sentiments.
    Be that as it will, his indulgent mistress, in order to set his mind at ease
in that particular, and in full confidence of his honour, insisted on his
accepting a deed of gift of her whole fortune, in consideration of their
intended marriage; and after some difficulty, he was prevailed upon to receive
this proof of her esteem, well knowing that it would still be in his power to
return the obligation. Tho' she often intreated him to take upon himself the
intire administration of her finances, and upon divers occasions pressed him to
accept of large sums, he never once abused her generous disposition, or
solicited her for money, except for some humane purpose, which she was always
more ready to fulfil than he to propose.
    In the course of this correspondence, he became
