Monsieur Dessein came back to let us out of the chaise, and
acquaint the lady, the count de L-, her brother, was just arrived
at the hotel. Though I had infinite good will for the lady, I
cannot say that I rejoiced in my heart at the event--and could not
help telling her so;--for it is fatal to a proposal, Madame, said
I, that I was going to make to you -

- You need not tell me what the proposal was, said she, laying her
hand upon both mine, as she interrupted me.--A man my good Sir, has
seldom an offer of kindness to make to a woman, but she has a
presentiment of it some moments before. -

Nature arms her with it, said I, for immediate preservation.--But I
think, said she, looking in my face, I had no evil to apprehend,--
and, to deal frankly with you, had determined to accept it.--If I
had--(she stopped a moment)--I believe your good will would have
drawn a story from me, which would have made pity the only
dangerous thing in the journey.

In saying this, she suffered me to kiss her hand twice, and with a
look of sensibility mixed with concern, she got out of the chaise,-
-and bid adieu.


IN THE STREET. CALAIS.


I never finished a twelve guinea bargain so expeditiously in my