 a single life, and to put my happiness in his hands, by
vesting him with a legal title to my person and fortune, such as they are. The
business at present, is to have the writings drawn; and I shall be obliged to
you, if you will recommend a lawyer to me for that purpose -«
    You may guess what an effect this overture had upon me; who, from the
information of my nephew, expected that Barton was to make a formal declaration
of his passion for Liddy; I could not help gazing in silent astonishment,
alternately at Tabby, and her supposed admirer, which last hung his head in the
most aukward confusion for a few minutes, and then retired on pretence of being
suddenly seized with a vertigo - Mrs. Tabitha affected much concern, and would
have had him make use of a bed in the house; but he insisted upon going home,
that he might have recourse to some drops, which he kept for such emergencies,
and his inamorata acquiesced - In the mean time I was exceedingly puzzled at
this adventure, (though I suspected the truth) and did not know in what manner
to demean myself towards Mrs. Tabitha, when Jery came in and told me, he had
just seen Mr. Barton alight from his chariot at lady Griskin's door - This
incident seemed to threaten a visit from her ladyship, with which we were
honoured accordingly, in less than half an hour - »I find (said she) there has
been a match of cross purposes among you good folks; and I'm come to set you to
rights -« So saying, she presented me with the following billet -
 
        »Dear Sir,
            I no sooner recollected myself from the extreme confusion I was
        thrown into, by that unlucky mistake of your sister, than I thought it
        my duty to assure you, that my devoirs to Mrs. Bramble never exceeded
        the bounds of ordinary civility; and that my heart is unalterably fixed
        upon Miss Liddy Melford, as I had the honour to declare to her brother,
        when he questioned me upon that subject - Lady Griskin has been so good
        as to charge herself, not only with the delivery of this note, but also
        with the task of undeceiving Mrs. Bramble, for whom I have the most
        profound respect and veneration, though my affection being otherwise
        engaged, is no longer in the power of
Sir,
your very humble servant,
                                                                  RALPH BARTON.«
 
Having cast my eyes over this billet, I told her ladyship, that I would no
longer retard the friendly office she had undertaken; and I
