coyness as criminal; but that I was not entirely free from doubt; and,
before I could agree to the proposal being made to Sir Arthur, I
thought it necessary we should mutually compare our thoughts, and
scrutinize as it were each other to the very soul; that we might not
act rashly, in the most serious of all the private events of life.--You
know my heart, Louisa; at least as well as I myself know it; and I am
fearful of being precipitate.

He seemed rather disappointed, and was impatient to begin the
conversation I wished for immediately.

I told him I was unprepared; my thoughts were not sufficiently
collected; and that the hurry in which we at present exist would
scarcely allow me time to perform so necessary a duty. But, that I
might avoid the least suspicion of coquetry, if it were his desire, I
would shut myself up for a day from company, and examine whether there
were any real impediments; that I would ask myself what my hopes and
expectations were; and that I requested, or indeed expected that he
should do the same. I added however that, if he pleased, it would be
much more agreeable to me to defer this serious task, at least till we
should return to Paris.

He repeated my words, if it would be much more agreeable to me,
impatient and uneasy though he owned he was, he must submit.

I answered I required no submission, except to reason; to which I hoped
both he and I should always be subject.

Love, he replied, was so disdainful of restraint that it would not
acknowledge the control of reason itself. However, by representing to