Sensible of the difference she put between him and all those who
before had entertained her on that subject; but not knowing presently
whether she ought to attribute it to her good or ill fortune, she was
wholly at a loss how to behave, and, to avoid giving any direct answer,
still affected an air of pleasantry.
See, cried she, the little reason you, have to speak in the praise of
love; for if pity be all you have to hope for from your, mistress, I am
afraid the consolation will be no way adequate to the misfortune.
Yet if you vouchsafe me that, replied he, kissing her hard, I never
shall complain. Me! interrupted she, pretending the utmost astonishment,
and drawing her chair somewhat farther from him. Yes, beautiful Louisa,
resumed he; it is you alone who have been capable of teaching me what
love truly is: - your eyes, at first sight, subdued my heart; but your
virtue has since made a conquest of my soul: - if I dare hope to make you
mine, it is only by such ways as heaven, and those who have the power of
disposing you, shall approve: - in the mean time I implore no more than
your permission to admire you, and to convince you, by all the
honourable services in my power to do you while you continue here, how
much my words are deficient to denote my meaning.
Louisa, now finding herself under a necessity of answering seriously,
told him, that if it were true that he had sentiments for her of the
nature he pretended, they would not only merit, but receive the most
grateful acknowledgments on her part; but at the same time she should be
sorry he had entertained them, and would wish him not to indulge a
prospect which could last no longer than while both remained in Venice,
and must infallibly vanish on their separation.
No, madam, replied he, when the next campaign is over, I shall return to
France; and sure the distance between that kingdom and England is not so
great, but a less motive than yourself would easily carry me thither;
and such credentials also of who, and what I am, as, I flatter myself,
would not appear contemptible in the eyes of your friends: - the prospect
therefore is not so visionary as you seem to think, provided I have
your consent.
The mention he made of her friends reminding her of her destitute
condition, gave her the utmost shock; which not being able to overcome,
she remained silent some moments; but at last perceiving he waited her
reply, monsieur, said she, there may be a thousand indissoluble bars
between us which you do not think of.
None, interrupted he eagerly, but what such love as mine will easily
surmount: - it is true, I am ignorant of your condition in the world; but
if it be superior to mine, the passion I am possessed of will inspire me
with means to raise me to an equality; and if inferior, which heaven
grant may be the case, it will only give the opportunity of proving that
I love Louisa for Louisa's self, and look upon every thing she brings
beside as nothing.
The emphasis he gave these words manifesting their sincerity, could not
but give new charms to the person who spoke them: Louisa thought she
might, without a blush, testify the sense she had of his generosity; but
tho' what she said was perfectly obliging to him, yet she concluded with
letting him know, there still was something that rendered the
accomplishment of what he seemed to wish impossible.
Then your heart already is engaged, cried he, or you are predestined by
your parents to some happier man? Without either of these, answered she,
there may be reasons to prevent our ever meeting more; - therefore I owe
so much to the honourable offers you are pleased to make me, as to wish
you to overcome whatever inclinations you may have for one who I once
more assure you never can be yours.
It would be impossible to express the distraction monsieur du Plessis
testified at this expression: - a thousand times over did he repeat that
dreadful word NEVER; - then added, neither engaged by love or promise,
yet never can be mine! does my ill fate come wrap'd to me in
riddles! - yet many things have seemed impossible that are not so in
themselves: - O Louisa! continued he, if there be any thing beside my
want of merit that impedes my wishes, and you delight not in my torment,
speak it I conjure you.
There is a necessity of denying you in this also, said Louisa; but to
shew you how little I am inclined to be ungrateful, be certain that I
have the highest idea of your merits, and prize them as much as I
ought to do.
These last words, obliging as they were, could not console monsieur du
Plessis for the cruelty, as he termed it, of refusing to let him know
what this invincible obstacle was which put a stop to any further
correspondence between them: he spared neither prayers nor tears to draw
the secret from her, but all were ineffectual; and she at last told him,
that if he pressed her any farther on that head, she must for the future
avoid his presence.
This was a menace which he had not courage to dare the execution of, and
he promised to conform to her will, tho' with such agonies, as shewed
her how much he valued even the little she was pleased to grant; but it
was not in the power of her perswasions to prevail on him to resolve to
make any efforts for the vanquishing his passion; he still protested
that he neither could cease to love her, and her alone, nor even to wish
an alteration in his sentiments.
