In other words, my dear Surry, I proceeded straightway to
fall violently in love with _Miss Mortimer_; and it is needless to say
that on the next day my horse might have been seen standing at the rack
of the parsonage. I had gone, you see, as politeness required, to ask
how the young lady felt after her accident.
"She was leaning back in an arm-chair, reading a 'good book,' and
looked charming. The accident seemed to have greatly shocked the
delicate frame of the young creature, but when I entered, she held out
her hand, greeting me with a fascinating smile. Mademoiselle was
imitated by Monsieur. I mean Mr. Mortimer. I did not fancy the
countenance of that gentleman much. It was dark and forbidden, but his
manners were those of a person acquainted with good society; he thanked
me 'with effusion,' as the French say, for my timely assistance on the
night before; and then he strolled forth with the good parson to look
at the garden, leaving me _tete-a-tete_ with his sister.
"Why lengthen out my story by comment, reflections, a description of
every scene, and the progressive steps through which the 'affair'
passed? I was in love with Miss Mortimer. She saw it. Her eyes said,
'Love me as much as you choose, and don't be afraid I will not love you
soon, in return.' At the end of this interview, which the worthy Mr.
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