I cannot forbid you my House, for gratitude restrains me; I can only throw myself upon your generosity, and entreat you to spare the feelings of an anxious, of a doting Mother.

Believe me when I assure you that I lament the necessity of rejecting your acquaintance; But there is no remedy, and Antonia's interest obliges me to beg you to forbear your visits.

By complying with my request, you will increase the esteem which I already feel for you, and of which everything convinces me that you are truly deserving.' 'Your frankness charms me,' replied Lorenzo; 'You shall find that in your favourable opinion of me you were not deceived.

Yet I hope that the reasons, now in my power to allege, will persuade you to withdraw a request which I cannot obey without infinite reluctance.

I love your Daughter, love her most sincerely: I wish for no greater happiness than to inspire her with the same sentiments, and receive her hand at the Altar as her Husband.