Volume II Part 31 (2/2)
But he doubted not, that I might be induced by my father and uncles to change it--
Never, never, he might depend upon it.
It was richly worth his patience, and the trial.
At my expense?--At the price of all my happiness, Sir?
He hoped I should be induced to think otherwise.
And then would he have run into his fortune, his settlements, his affection--vowing, that never man loved a woman with so sincere a pa.s.sion as he loved me.
I stopped him, as to the first part of his speech: and to the second, of the sincerity of his pa.s.sion, What then, Sir, said I, is your love to one, who must a.s.sure you, that never young creature looked upon man with a more sincere disapprobation, than I look upon you? And tell me, what argument can you urge, that this true declaration answers not before-hand?
Dearest Madam, what can I say?--On my knees I beg--
And down the ungraceful wretch dropped on his knees.
Let me not kneel in vain, Madam: let me not be thus despised.--And he looked most odiously sorrowful.
I have kneeled too, Mr. Solmes: often have I kneeled: and I will kneel again--even to you, Sir, will I kneel, if there be so much merit in kneeling; provided you will not be the implement of my cruel brother's undeserved persecution.
If all the services, even to wors.h.i.+p you, during my whole life--You, Madam, invoke and expect mercy; yet shew none--
Am I to be cruel to myself, to shew mercy to you; take my estate, Sir, with all my heart, since you are such a favourite in this house!--only leave me myself--the mercy you ask for, do you shew to others.
If you mean to my relations, Madam--unworthy as they are, all shall be done that you shall prescribe.
Who, I, Sir, to find you bowels you naturally have not? I to purchase their happiness by the forfeiture of my own? What I ask you for, is mercy to myself: that, since you seem to have some power over my relations, you will use it in my behalf. Tell them, that you see I cannot conquer my aversion to you: tell them, if you are a wise man, that you too much value your own happiness, to risk it against such a determined antipathy: tell them that I am unworthy of your offers: and that in mercy to yourself, as well as to me, you will not prosecute a suit so impossible to be granted.
I will risque all consequences, said the fell wretch, rising, with a countenance whitened over, as if with malice, his hollow eyes flas.h.i.+ng fire, and biting his under lip, to shew he could be manly. Your hatred, Madam, shall be no objection with me: and I doubt not in a few days to have it in my power to shew you--
You have it in your power, Sir--
He came well off--To shew you more generosity than, n.o.ble as you are said to be to others, you shew to me.
The man's face became his anger: it seems formed to express the pa.s.sion.
At that instant, again in came my brother--Sister, Sister, Sister, said he, with his teeth set, act on the termagant part you have so newly a.s.sumed--most wonderfully well does it become you. It is but a short one, however. Tyraness in your turn, accuse others of your own guilt--But leave her, leaver her, Mr. Solmes: her time is short. You'll find her humble and mortified enough very quickly. Then, how like a little tame fool will she look, with her conscience upbraiding her, and begging of you [with a whining voice, the barbarous brother spoke] to forgive and forget!
More he said, as he flew out, with a glowing face, upon Sh.o.r.ey's coming in to recall him on his violence.
I removed from chair to chair, excessively frighted and disturbed at this brutal treatment.
The man attempted to excuse himself, as being sorry for my brother's pa.s.sion.
Leave me, leave me, Sir, fanning--or I shall faint. And indeed I thought I should.
He recommended himself to my favour with an air of a.s.surance; augmented, as I thought, by a distress so visible in me; for he even s.n.a.t.c.hed my trembling, my struggling hand; and ravished it to his odious mouth.
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