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Chapter v.Containing some matters which may affect, and others which maysurprize, the reader.The clock had now struck seven, and poor Sophia, alone and melancholy,sat reading a tragedy. It was the Fatal Marriage; and she was now cometo that part where the poor distrest Isabella disposes of herwedding-ring.Here the book dropt from her hand, and a shower of tears ran down intoher bosom. In this situation she had continued a minute, when the dooropened, and in came Lord Fellamar. Sophia started from her chair athis entrance; and his lordship advancing forwards, and making a lowbow, said, "I am afraid, Miss Western, I break in upon you abruptly.""Indeed, my lord," says she, "I must own myself a little surprized atthis unexpected visit." "If this visit be unexpected, madam," answeredLord Fellamar, "my eyes must have been very faithless interpreters ofmy heart, when last I had the honour of seeing you; for surely youcould not otherwise have hoped to detain my heart in your possession,without receiving a visit from its owner." Sophia, confused as shewas, answered this bombast (and very properly I think) with a look ofinconceivable disdain. My lord then made another and a longer speechof the same sort. Upon which Sophia, trembling, said, "Am I really toconceive your lordship to be out of your senses? Sure, my lord, thereis no other excuse for such behaviour." "I am, indeed, madam, in thesituation you suppose," cries his lordship; "and sure you will pardonthe effects of a frenzy which you yourself have occasioned; for lovehath so totally deprived me of reason, that I am scarce accountablefor any of my actions." "Upon my word, my lord," said Sophia, "Ineither understand your words nor your behaviour." "Suffer me then,madam," cries he, "at your feet to explain both, by laying open mysoul to you, and declaring that I doat on you to the highest degree ofdistraction. O most adorable, most divine creature! what language canexpress the sentiments of my heart?" "I do assure you, my lord," saidSophia, "I shall not stay to hear any more of this." "Do not," crieshe, "think of leaving me thus cruelly; could you know half thetorments which I feel, that tender bosom must pity what those eyeshave caused." Then fetching a deep sigh, and laying hold of her hand,he ran on for some minutes in a strain which would be little morepleasing to the reader than it was to the lady; and at last concludedwith a declaration, "That if he was master of the world, he would layit at her feet." Sophia then, forcibly pulling away her hand from his,answered with much spirit, "I promise you, sir, your world and itsmaster I should spurn from me with equal contempt." She then offeredto go; and Lord Fellamar, again laying hold of her hand, said, "Pardonme, my beloved angel, freedoms which nothing but despair could havetempted me to take.----Believe me, could I have had any hope that mytitle and fortune, neither of them inconsiderable, unless whencompared with your worth, would have been accepted, I had, in thehumblest manner, presented them to your acceptance.----But I cannotlose you.--By heaven, I will sooner part with my soul!--You are, youmust, you shall be only mine." "My lord," says she, "I intreat you todesist from a vain pursuit; for, upon my honour, I will never hear youon this subject. Let go my hand, my lord; for I am resolved to go fromyou this moment; nor will I ever see you more." "Then, madam," crieshis lordship, "I must make the best use of this moment; for I cannot