XXV

l,therefore,whichmust,atanyrate,takeplacesoon,may,withperfectconvenience,behastenedandImakeitmyparticularrequestthatImaynotinanywaybeinstrumentalinseparatingafamilysoaffectionatelyattachedtoeachother.WhereIgoisofnoconsequencetoanyoneofverylittletomyselfbutyouareofimportancetoallyourconnections.”HereIconcluded,andIhopeyouwillbesatisfiedwithmyspeech.ItseffectonReginaldjustifiessomeportionofvanity,foritwasnolessfavourablethaninstantaneous.Oh,howdelightfulitwastowatchthevariationsofhiscountenancewhileIspoke!toseethestrugglebetweenreturningtendernessandtheremainsofdispleasure.ThereissomethingagreeableinfeelingssoeasilyworkedonnotthatIenvyhimtheirpossession,norwould,fortheworld,havesuchmyselfbuttheyareveryconvenientwhenonewishestoinfluencethepassionsofanother.AndyetthisReginald,whomaveryfewwordsfrommesoftenedatonceintotheutmostsubmission,andrenderedmoretractable,moreattached,moredevotedthanever,wouldhaveleftmeinthefirstangryswellingofhisproudheartwithoutdeigningtoseek