Twelve o'clock
Your countenance and manner made an impression on me , which inclined me to take your virtues upon trust . It is not always safe to depend on these preventive feelings ; but in general the face is a pretty faithful index of the mind . I propose being in town in four or five days . Twelve o'clock . My mother has this moment a second letter from her relation , who is coming home , and proposes a marriage between me and his daughter , to whom he will give twenty thousand pounds now , and the rest of his fortune at his death . As Emily 's fault , if love can allow her one , is an excess of romantic generosity , the fault of most uncorrupted female minds , I am very anxious to marry her before she knows of this proposal , lest she should think it a proof of tenderness to aim at making me wretched , in order to make me rich . I therefore entreat you and Mrs. Fitzgerald to stay at Rose-hill , and prevent her coming to town , till she is mine past the power of retreat .