might see him without delay; and he immediately set out with the
messenger, who introduced him in the dark.

"He found the old lady in bed almost exhausted, and the fair Aurelia
sitting by her overwhelmed with grief, her lovely hair in the utmost
disorder, and her charming eyes inflamed with weeping. The good lady
beckoning Mr. Launcelot to approach, and directing all the attendants to
quit the room, except a favourite maid, from whom I learned the story,
she took him by the hand, and fixing her eyes upon him with all the
fondness of a mother, shed some tears in silence, while the same marks of
sorrow trickled down his cheeks. After this affecting pause, 'My dear
son,' said she, 'Oh! that I could have lived to see you so indeed! you
find me hastening to the goal of life.' Here the tender-hearted Aurelia,
being unable to contain herself longer, broke out into a violent passion
of grief, and wept aloud. The mother, waiting patiently till she had
thus given vent to her anguish, calmly entreated her to resign herself
submissively to the will of Heaven; then turning to Mr. Launcelot, 'I had
indulged,' said she, 'a fond hope of seeing you allied to my family.
This is no time for me to insist upon the ceremonies and forms of a vain
world. Aurelia looks upon you with the eyes of tender prepossession.'
No sooner had she pronounced these words than he threw himself on his
knees before the young lady, and pressing her hand to his lips, breathed
the softest expressions which the most delicate love could suggest. 'I
know,' resumed the mother, 'that your passion is mutually sincere, and I
should die satisfied if I thought your union would not be opposed; but
that violent man, my brother-in-law, who is Aurelia's sole guardian, will
thwart her wishes with every obstacle that brutal resentment and
implacable malice can contrive. Mr. Greaves, I have long admired your
virtues, and am confident that I can depend upon your honour. You shall
give me your word, that when I am gone you will take no steps in this