'coffee-house, a fray happening in the street, I endeavoured to assist the injured party, when I was seized by the watch, and after being confined all night in the round-house, was conveyed in the morning before a justice of peace, who com'mitted me hither; where I should probably have 'starved, had I not, from your hands, found a most unaccountable preservation. And here, give me leave to assure you, my dear Miss Matthews, that whatever advantage I may have reaped from your misfortune, I sincerely lament it; nor would I have purchased any relief to myself at the price of seeing you in this dread'ful place.'

1

He spake these last words with great tenderness; for he was a man of consummate good-nature, and had formerly had much affection for this young lady; indeed, more than the generality of people are capable of entertaining for any person what

soever.

AMELIA..

BOOK IV.

CHAP. I.

Containing very mysterious Matter.

MISS Matthews did not in the least fall short of Mr. Booth in expressions of tenderness. Her eyes, the most eloquent orators on such occasions, exerted their utmost force; and, at the conclusion of his speech, she cast a look as languishingly sweet as ever Cleopatra gave to Antony. real fact, this Mr. Booth had been her first love, and had made more impressions on her young heart, which the learned in this branch of philosophy affirm, and perhaps truly, are never to be eradicated.

In

When Booth had finished his story, a silence ensued of some minutes; an interval which the painter would describe much better than the writer. Some readers may, however, be able to make pretty pertinent conjectures, by what I have said above, especially when they are told that Miss Matthews broke the silence by a sigh, and cried, 'Why is Mr. Booth unwilling to allow me the happiness ' of thinking my misfortunes have been of some 'little advantage to him? sure the happy Amelia ' would not be so selfish to envy me that pleasure,

'No; not if she was as much the fondest as she is the happiest of women.' 'Good Heavens ! 'Madam,' said he, 'do you call my poor Amelia the "happiest of women? Indeed I do,' answered she briskly.'O Mr. Booth! there is a speck of 'white in her fortune, which, when it falls to the 'lot of a sensible woman, makes her full amends 'for all the crosses which can attend her-Perhaps 'she may not be sensible of it; but if it had been my blest fate-O Mr. Booth! could I have thought when we were first acquainted, that the 'most agreeable man in the world had been capable ' of making the kind, the tender, the affectionate 'husband-the happy Amelia, in those days, was 'unknown; Heaven had not then given her a prospect of the happiness it intended her- but yet it did intend it her; for sure there is a fatality in the affairs of love; and the more I reflect on 'my own life, the more I am convinced of it. O "Heavens! how a thousand little circumstances crowd into my mind. When you first marched into our town, you had then the colours in your hand; as you passed under the window where 'I stood, my glove, by accident, dropt into the street; you stooped, took up my glove, and putting it upon the spike belonging to your colours, lifted it up to the window. Upon this a young lady, who stood by, said, "So, Miss, the young "officer hath accepted your challenge." I blushed then, and I blush now, when I confess to you, 'I thought you the prettiest young fellow I had ever seen; and, upon my soul, I believe you was then the prettiest fellow in the world.'- Booth here made a low bow, and cried, ' O dear Madam, how ignorant was I of my own happiness!' Would you really have thought so?' answered she; however, there is some politeness, if there 'be no sincerity in what you say.' Here the governor of the enchanted castle interrupted

6

them, and entering the room without any ceremony, acquainted the lady and gentleman, that it was locking-up time; and addressing Booth by the name of captain, asked him if he would not please to have a bed; adding, that he might have one in the next room to the lady, but that it would come dear; for that he never let a bed in that room under a guinea, nor could he afford it cheaper to his father.

No answer was made to this proposal; but Miss Matthews, who had already learnt some of the ways of the house, said, she believed Mr. Booth would like to drink a glass of something; upon which the governor immediately trumpeted forth the praises of his rack-punch, and without waiting for any farther commands, presently produced a large bowl of that liquor.

The governor, having recommended the goodness of his punch by a hearty draught, began to revive the other matter, saying, that he was just going to bed, and must first lock up. -'But suppose,' said Matthews, with a smile, the captain and I should have a mind to sit up all night.'-' With all my heart, said the governor; but I expect a consideration for those matters. For my part, I don't ' inquire into what doth not conceru me; but single ' and double are two things. If I lock up double, I expect half a guinea; and I'm sure the captain 'cannot think that's out of the way-It is but the price of a bagnio.'

Miss Matthews's face became the colour of scarlet at those words-However, she mustered up her spirits, and turning to Booth said, 'What say you, captain? for my own part, I had never less incli'nation to sleep; which hath the greater charms 'for you, the punch or the pillow? I hope, Ma'dam,' answered Booth, you have a better opinion of me, than to doubt my preferring Miss Matthews's conversation to either.' I assure

6