CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE PROPOSAL.
On reaching Mrs.Bingham's apartments, we found that she had just left home to wait upon Mrs.O'Leary, and consequently, that Miss Bingham was alone.

Trevanion, therefore, having wished me a safe deliverance through my trying mission, shook my hand warmly, and departed.
I stood for some minutes irresolutely, with my hand upon the lock of the door.

To think that the next few moments may decide the fortune of one's after life, is a sufficiently anxious thought; but that your fate may be so decided, by compelling you to finish in sorrow what you have begun in folly, is still more insupportable.

Such, then, was my condition.

I had resolved within myself, if the result of this meeting should prove that I had won Miss Bingham's affections, to propose for her at once in all form, and make her my wife.