madam?" (asked he again.) "No, Sir, I can speak their language myself. I wrote to know her sentiments, at the time you were amusing yourself at the expense of my folly, as I had too much honor to give you encouragement, if she had any hopes of you." "So then (said he, in a rage) she believes I was paying my addresses to you, madam." (She smiled contemptuously.) No wonder she renounces me; if such ideas took possession of her mind, she must think me the most contemptible of men." "And of what signification are her thoughts to you? are there not insuperable difficulties to a connexion with her?" (asked she.) "Not on my side, madam; this hour, this instant, I would receive her hand with gratitude and transport; her dignity of sentiment, her true greatness of mind are the bars to my happiness." "Well, but if there are bars———" "I beg pardon for interrupting you, madam; I know what you would say; and it is far from my design to be rude to any lady, but you must permit me to declare, I am resolved to wait weeks, months,
