nice.

I claim your gratulations, my friend! Harriet, the lovely Harriet Melworth, condescends to accept my vows! Mr. Watson and Edward express their satisfaction in words and/looks; and the amiable Marchioness in smiles testifies her approbation; while the good old Marquess declares he will never give his consent to the match, because he has been, for some months back, wooing her for his second son. You will wonder, Charles, that I have deferred till now, so important a point, as that of declaring my sentiments to her: the reason was, I had really too much diffidence to venture till I could persuade myself that my assiduities had gained her esteem, and made some impression on her heart; but I believe even vanity's utmost exertions would not have flattered me into the belief that I had yet succeeded far enough to make such an attempt with safety, had I not been thrown off my guard by the visible attention paid to Miss Melworth by a young French nobleman. I could not bear the idea of yielding so valuable a prize without making some resistance, therefore seized a lucky moment, and in hesitating terms, confessed to her my love. The vermilion of unaffected modesty overspread her cheeks, and, at length, in return to my pressing intreaties, I brought the sweet maid to confess, in faltering accents, a preference in my/ favor. – This was enough to make me half wild with extacy; but my rapturous gratitude was presently interrupted by Mrs. Horton joining us. To her I related my success, and then flew away, for the same purpose, in search of Sir Edward, who, laughing, said to me, ‘

Really, Augustus, I now give you credit for a much larger portion of modesty than I thought you had possessed; since it could be that only which prevented your developing the secret of Harriet's heart long ago.’ ‘Very likely,’ cried I, ‘but you must allow that the modesty of my love is some sort of security for its constancy, and it tends to heighten my present joys.’