Oh, no, no--your attentions--the flattery of your notice, took me at once, and, in the gratification of my self-esteem, I forgot all else.

I heard, too, that you were engaged to another, and believing, as I did, that you were trifling with my affections, I spared no effort to win your's.

I confess it, I wished this with all my soul." "And now," said I, "that you have gained them"-- Here was a pretty sequel to my well matured plans!--"And now Emily"-- "But have I really done so ?" said she, hurriedly turning round and fixing her large full eyes upon me, while one of her hands played convulsively through my hair--"have I your heart?
your whole heart ?" "Can you doubt it, dearest," said I, passionately pressing her to my bosom; and at the same time muttering, "What the devil's in the wind now; we are surely not going to patch up our separation, and make love in earnest." There she lay, her head upon my shoulder, her long, brown, waving ringlets falling loosely across my face and on my bosom, her hand in mine.

What were her thoughts I cannot guess--mine, God forgive me, were a fervent wish either for her mother's appearance, or that the hotel would suddenly take fire, or some other extensive calamity arise to put the finishing stroke to this embarassing situation.
None of these, however, were destined to occur; and Emily lay still and motionless as she was, scarce seeming to breathe, and pale as death.
What can this mean, said I, surely this is not the usual way to treat with a rejected suitor; if it be, why then, by Jupiter the successful one must have rather the worst of it--and I fervently hope that Lady Jane be not at this moment giving his conge to some disappointed swain.

She slowly raised her long, black fringed eyelids, and looked into my face, with an expression at once so tender and so plaintive, that I felt a struggle within myself whether to press her to my heart, or--what the deuce was the alternative.