- Pardon, Continued He, The Boldness Of A Passion Which Knows
No Bounds; And Tho' I May Not Be So Worthy Of Your Love As The Too Happy
Horatio, I Am Certainly Not Less Deserving Of Your Pity.
Surprize, and perhaps a mixture of secret satisfaction prevented her
from interrupting him during the first part of his discourse; but rage,
at the mention of Horatio, forced from her this exclamation:
- Has the
villain then betrayed me! cried she. - No, madam, replied he, justice
obliges me to acquit him, tho' my rival. - He had the misfortune, in
putting your billet into his pocket, to let it fall; I took it up unseen
by him, - opened it, read it, and must confess, that all my generosity to
my friend was wholly swallowed up in my passion for you. - I returned not
to him that kind declaration you were pleased to make him, and he is
ignorant of the blessing you intended for him: - if the crime I have been
guilty of seem unpardonable in your eyes, command my death, I will
instantly obey you, for life would be a torment under your displeasure;
and if, in my last moments, you vouchsafe some part of that softness to
the occasion of my fate, that you so lavishly bestowed on the fortunate
Horatio, I will bless the lovely mouth that dooms me to destruction!
He pronounced all this with an emphasis, which made her not doubt the
power of her charms; and surveying him while he was speaking, found
enough in his person to compensate for the disappointment she had met
with from Horatio: besides, she reflected, that if what he had told her
concerning the dropping her letter, was a fiction, it was however an
ingenious one, and shewed his wit, as well as love, in bringing both
himself and friend off in so handsome a manner. She was infatuated with
the praises he gave her; - the pathetic expressions he made use of,
assured her of the ardency of his desires, and as she could not be
certain of being able to inspire Horatio with the same, she wisely chose
to accept the present offer, rather than wait for what might perhaps at
last deceive her expectations. She made, however, no immediate answer;
but her eyes told him she was far from being displeased with what he had
said, and gave him courage to take up one of her hands and kiss it, with
an eagerness which confirmed his protestations.
At last, - Well, Mullern, said she, looking languishingly on him, since
chance has made you acquainted with my foible, I think I must bribe you
to secrecy, by forgiving the liberties you take with me: - and if I were
convinced you really love me as well as you pretend, might indulge you
yet farther. - An unaccountable caprice indeed swayed me in favour of
Horatio, but I am now half inclinable to believe you are more deserving
my regard; - but rise, continued she, I will hear nothing from you while
in that posture.
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