I cannot see why we should put ourselves to any inconvenience.  Lord Osborne”—­“Lord Osborne!” interrupted sir William with some warmth, “and pray what has his lordship to do with the matter?” “Really sir William,” replied Miss Frampton, “you are very free.  But his lordship is my friend, and I hope Damon has no objection to his continuing so.”  “Look you,” answered sir William, “I would neither have lord Osborne for the rival of Damon now, nor for your chichisbee hereafter.”  “And yet I am not sure,” cried she, “that he may not be both.”  “Is there then,” said the baronet, “no engagement subsisting between you and Damon?” “I believe,” cried Miss Frampton, a little hesitating, “there may be something of the kind.  But we may change our minds you know, and I do not think that I shall prosecute upon it.  Ha! ha! ha!” “To say the truth,” replied sir William, “I believe lord Osborne is not only the rival of Damon, but a very formidable one too.  But let me tell you, Bella, a character so respectable as that of my friend, and so true an Englishman, must not be allowed to dance attendance.”  “As he pleases.  I believe we understand one another.  And to say the truth at once, perhaps some time hence I may have no aversion to lord Osborne.”

The reader will not suppose that the conversation continued much longer.  Damon and the young lady came to a perfect understanding, and parted without any very ungovernable desire of seeing each other again.  And thus by the gay humour and active friendship of sir William Twyford, an affair was happily terminated, which, from the timidity and gentleness of our hero, might otherwise have lingered several months to the mutual dissatisfaction of both parties.  Damon quitted the house in raptures, and was no sooner seated in the chariot, than he pressed his friend repeatedly to his breast, and committed a thousand extravagancies of joy.

CHAPTER IX.

A tragical Resolution.

Damon and his friend spent the evening together in the chambers of our hero.  They now discussed a variety of those subjects, which naturally arise between friends who have been for any time separated.  Damon threw aside that reserve which the consciousness of a fault had hitherto involuntarily imposed upon him, and related more explicitly who the lady was of whom he was so much enamoured, and in what manner he had first seen her.  Recollecting that the baronet was just returned from the environs of Southampton, he eagerly enquired into the health and situation of his mistress.

Sir William related to him the adventure of Mr. Prettyman, as we have already stated it to our readers, and deeply lamented the persecution to which Delia was subjected from the haughty victor.  “And is there,” cried Damon eagerly, “no prospect of his lordship’s success?” “I believe,” answered sir William, “that he is of all men her mortal aversion.”  “And is there no happy lover in all her train, that she regards with a partial eye?” “None,” replied the baronet, “she is chaste as snow, and firm as mountain oaks.”  “Propitious coldness!” exclaimed Damon, “for that may heaven send down a thousand blessings on her head!”