Being then about to go up stairs, Permit me, sir, said I, (looking about
me with some confusion, to see that nobody was there,) thus on my knees
to thank you, as I often wanted to do in the chariot, for all your
goodness to me, which shall never, I hope, be cast away upon me. And so
I had the boldness to kiss his hand.
I wonder, since, how I came to be so forward. But what could I do?--My
poor grateful heart was like a too full river, which overflows its banks:
and it carried away my fear and my shamefacedness, as that does all
before it on the surface of its waters!
He clasped me in his arms with transport, and condescendingly kneeled by
me, and kissing me, said, O my dear obliging good girl, on my knees, as
you on yours, I vow to you everlasting truth and fidelity! and may God
but bless us both with half the pleasures that seem to be before us, and
we shall have no reason to envy the felicity of the greatest princes!--O
sir, said I, how shall I support so much goodness! I am poor, indeed, in
every thing, compared to you! and how far, very far, do you, in every
generous way, leave me behind you!
He raised me, and, as I bent towards the door, led me to the stairs foot,
and, saluting me there again, left me to go up to my closet, where I
threw myself on my knees in raptures of joy, and blessed that gracious
God, who had thus changed my distress to happiness, and so abundantly
rewarded me for all the sufferings I had passed through.
Pages:
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455
456