You Affect, Said The Baron, A Slowness Of Apprehension, Which Is Far From Being Natural To You, And Perhaps Imagine,

That by not seeming to understand me, I should believe there were no grounds for me to forbid you my

House; but, young man, I am not so easily deceived; and since you oblige me to speak plain, must tell you, I am sorry to find you have entertained any projects, which, if you had the least consulted your reason, you would have known could never be accomplished. - In fine, Horatio, what you make so great a mystery of, may be explained in three words: - I wish you well as a friend, but cannot think of making you my son: - I would recompence what you have done for me with any thing but my daughter, and as a proof of my concern for your happiness, I exclude you from all society with her, in order to prevent so unavailing a passion from taking too deep a root.

Ah, my lord, cried Horatio, perceiving all dissimulation would be vain, the man who once adored mademoiselle de Palfoy can never cease to do so. He ought therefore, replied the baron, without being moved, to consider the consequences well before he begins to adore: - if I had been consulted in the matter I should have advised you better; but it is now too late, and all I can do is to prevent your ever meeting more: - this, Horatio, is all I have to say, and that if in any other affair I can be serviceable to you, communicate your request in writing, and depend on its being granted.

In speaking these last words he withdrew, and left Horatio in a situation of mind not easy to be conceived. - He was once about to entreat him to turn back, but had nothing to offer which could make him hope would prevail on him to alter his resolution. - He never had been insensible of the vast disparity there was at present between him and the noble family of de Palfoy: he could expect no other, or rather worse treatment than what he had now received, if his passion was ever discovered, and had no excuse to make for what himself allowed so great a presumption.

With a countenance dejected, and a heart oppressed with various agitations, did he quit the house which contained what was most valuable to him in the world, while poor Charlotta endured, if possible, a greater shock.

The baron de Palfoy, now convinced that all he had been informed of was true, was more incensed against her than he had been on the mistaken supposition of her being influenced in favour of monsieur de Coigney: he had no sooner left Horatio than he flew to her apartment, and reproached her in terms the most severe that words could form. - It was in vain she protested that she never had any design of giving herself to Horatio without having first received his permission.

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