Mr.FrankChurchilldidnotcome.Whenthetimeproposeddrewnear,Mrs.Weston\'sfearswerejustifiedinthearrivalofaletterofexcuse.Forthepresent,hecouldnotbespared,tohis`verygreatmortificationandregret;butst`MissSmith!-messagetoMissSmith!-Whatcouldshepossiblymean!\'-Andherepeatedherwordswithsuchassuranceofaccent,suchboastfulpretenceofamazement,thatshecouldnothelpreplyingwithquickness,
`Mr.Elton,thisisthemostextraordinaryconduct!andIcanaccountforitonlyinoneway;youarenotyourself,oryoucouldnotspeakeithertome,orofHarriet,insuchamanner.Commandyourselfenoughtosaynomore,andIwillendeavourtoforgetit.\'
ButMr.Eltonhadonlydrunkwineenoughtoelevatehisspirits,notatalltoconfusehisintellects.Heperfectlyknewhisownmeaning;andhavingwarmlyprotestedagainsthersuspicionasmostinjurious,andslightlytoucheduponhisrespectforMissSmithasherfriend,-butacknowledginghiswonderthatMissSmithshouldbementionedatall,-heresumedthesubjectofhisownpassion,andwasveryurgentforafavourableanswer.
Asshethoughtlessofhisinebriety,shethoughtmoreofhisinconstancyandpresumption;andwithfewerstrugglesforpoliteness,replied,
`Itisimpossibleformetodoubtanylonger.Youhavemadeyourselftooclear.Mr.Elton,myastonishmentismuchbeyondanythingIcanexpress.Aftersuchbehaviour,asIhavewitnessedduringthelastmonth,toMissSmith-suchattentionsasIhavebeeninthedailyhabitofobserving-tobeaddressingmeinthismanner-thisisanunsteadinessofcharacter,indeed,whichIhadnotsupposedpossible!Believeme,sir,Iamfar,veryfar,fromgratifiedinbeingtheobjectofsuchprofessions.\'