 family came, but were all to return after supper.

I told you, in my last, that I had refused to dance with Colonel Walter; I was also asked by Lord Lucan, but desired to be excused, and entreated he would take Miss Ashford for his partner. He said he would obey me, and accordingly desired the honour of her hand, which she readily granted—About a quarter of an hour before the ball began, he unluckily strained his leg, and was not able to fulfil his engagement.—Sir William, though not fond of dancing, was polite enough to supply his place, and Lord Lucan and I were reduced to play at quadrille, with a couple of dowagers, and an old parson.
The evening, however, passed off, very tolerably, and we retired to our chambers about twelve o'clock. The gentlemen

had agreed to meet and hunt, the next morning; and I determined to pay a visit to Lucy, between breakfast and dinner, that day; for the Colonel had insisted on our not leaving him till the next.
According to appointment with his companions of the chace, Sir William rose early, and left me asleep; I had resolved not to acquaint him with my situation, till our return to Southfield; as I knew that many coarse jests and common-place sayings would pass, on the occasion; which I should wish to avoid, at all times, but especially before strangers.
About eight o'clock in the morning, I was waked by a person who knelt at my bedside, and pressed my hand to their lips—the chamber was dark, I could

only distinguish that it was a man, and instantly concluded him to be Lord Lucan; from this circumstance only, that I recollected Colonel Walter was to have rode out with Sir William.—I strove to withdraw my hand, but could not; upon which I addressed him with the strongest expressions of surprize and resentment, at his having dared to take so unwarrantable a liberty; to which, he answered, only in a whisper, entreating me to forgive the effects of a passion too violent to be restrained.—He then attempted to press his lips to mine, and when I was going to ring my bell, I heard Sir William's voice upon the stairs, and fainted.
When I came to myself, I found Miss Ashford, Sir William, and Harriet, in

the room, standing about my bed-side—I suffered infinite anxiety at that instant, to know whether Sir William had found Lord Lucan in my chamber, and what had passed between them? Harriet
