to a personal visit. Travelled gentlemen affected to surprise in this
manner. And why, dearest creature, said I, must every thing that
happens, which we cannot immediately account for, be what we least wish?

She had had so many disagreeable things befall her of late, that her
fears were too often stronger than her hopes.

And this, Madam, makes me apprehensive, that you will get into so low-
spirited a way, that you will not be able to enjoy the happiness that
seems to await us.

Her duty and her gratitude, she gravely said, to the Dispenser of all
good, would secure her, she hoped, against unthankfulness. And a
thankful spirit was the same as a joyful one.

So, Belford, for all her future joys she depends entirely upon the
invisible Good. She is certainly right; since those who fix least upon
second causes are the least likely to be disappointed--And is not this
gravity for her gravity?

She had hardly done speaking, when Dorcas came running up in a hurry--
she set even my heart into a palpitation--thump, thump, thump, like a
precipitated pendulum in a clock-case--flutter, flutter, flutter, my
charmer's, as by her sweet bosom rising to her chin I saw.

This lower class of people, my beloved herself observed, were for ever
aiming at the stupid wonderful, and for making even common incidents
matter of surprise.

Why the devil, said I to the wench, this alarming hurry?--And with your