But the gleam of a bright red fire fire through the parlour window had more effect in cheering cheer my spirits , and rebuking rebuke my thankless repinings , than all the sage reflections reflection and good resolutions resolution I had forced force my mind to frame ; — for I was young then , remember — only four-and-twenty — and had not acquired half the rule over my own spirit that I now possess — trifling as that may be .

He had not been known to them as a boy ; but soon after Lady Elliot 's death death , Sir Walter had sought the acquaintance , and though his overtures had not been met with any warmth , he had persevered in seeking it , making allowance for the modest drawing-back of youth ; and , in one of their spring excursions excursion to London , when Elizabeth was in her first bloom , Mr Elliot had been forced force into the introduction introduction .

I followed follow rapidly until , darkness darkness shutting down , I was forced force to await await the rising of the moon , and given an opportunity to speculate on the question of the wisdom of my chase .