ButMr。Eltonhadonlydrunkwineenoughtoelevatehisspirits，notatalltoconfusehisintellects。Heperfectlyknewhisownmeaning；
andhavingwarmlyprotestedagainsthersuspicionasmostinjurious，andslightlytoucheduponhisrespectforMissSmithasherfriend，——
butacknowledginghiswonderthatMissSmithshouldbementionedatall，——heresumedthesubjectofhisownpassion，andwasveryurgentforafavourableanswer。
Asshethoughtlessofhisinebriety，shethoughtmoreofhisinconstancyandpresumption；andwithfewerstrugglesforpoliteness，replied，“Itisimpossibleformetodoubtanylonger。Youhavemadeyourselftooclear。Mr。Elton，myastonishmentismuchbeyondanythingIcanexpress。Aftersuchbehaviour，asIhavewitnessedduringthelastmonth，toMissSmith——suchattentionsasI
havebeeninthedailyhabitofobserving——tobeaddressingmeinthismanner——thisisanunsteadinessofcharacter，indeed，whichIhadnotsupposedpossible！Believeme，sir，Iamfar，veryfar，fromgratifiedinbeingtheobjectofsuchprofessions。”