Part 40 (1/2)

The old lady complied; and a conversation ensued which certainly will neither surprise nor move the reader so much as it did me Should he ask how I, as a man of honor, could suffer the I did not understand theh to surmise what the emotions were that were in a moment kindled in my bosom At first, indeed, they were but dark and improbable conjectures: but, dark as they were, they shook ue that ensued soon testified that the old lady was in no very co sentences expressed dissatisfaction, were sarcastic, and evidently glanced at her young co But, not satisfied with indirect reproach, her assailant, still speaking French, continued her interrogatories to the following effect

'And are you still determined, Miss, to persist in your obstinate refusal of his lordshi+p?'

'Let ain'

'Oh, to be sure! You very kindly intreat me to torment myself as much as I please, so that I do not trouble you!'

'How can you, madam, accuse me of such cruelty? Is it just? Am I indeed of such a nature?'

'Yes, indeed are you, Miss: however youbut perversity that can make you trifle with the honor and happiness of your family--Now you are silent! Your fine spirit no doubt disdains to reply!'

'What can I say?'

'Say that you are a headstrong girl; acknowledge your fault, and consent to be the wife of a peer--Silent again!'

'I could wish, ry'

'No, indeed; there is no occasion for that! You have been doing nothing else for many weeks past For my part, I cannot conceive what your objection can be! Had that desperado been living, for whoed what you call your weak prepossession, I should have known very well to what cause to attribute your stubbornness: but, as it is, I cannot conceive either yourhowever is to be wondered at, in a young lady of your character No prudent person would have dared to indulge a thought in favour of a mad adventurer, whose actions were as rash as they were insolent, whose family was mean yet had dared to oppose and even make ridiculous attempts to rival that from which you are descended, and who yet was himself an outcast of that family'

'It is cruel, madam, to disturb the ashes of the dead!'

This was the first word of retort that had escaped the chidden sufferer; and this was uttered in a voice half suffocated with passion

'Cruel, indeed! Every thing is cruel that contradicts the wishes of young ladies, whosetenderness is ruinous to theht to be ain and again repeating, in my own defence, that there is no part of my conduct which can justify such an accusation'

'How, Miss! Is an avowed partiality for a fortune-hunter no proof? Is it no stain on the character of alady? Is it no insult to her family?'

'It was a partiality which had never been avowed, till death had put an end to hope It was produced and counteracted by very extraordinary circuht be at soe it was, for I disdain falsehood, it was not indulged I needed no ht not to be'

'I have not patience A runagate! A vagabond! A gahter! One of the lowest and most contemptible of adventurers!

who had betrayed his patrons, who had flown in the face of his benefactors, as capable of every kind of le virtue!'

'Madam, I cannot listen to such an assertion as that, however Iit is unfounded; and that you have been greatly ise for his mistakes: but I know that he had virtues which those who have given you this character of hiuilty of the crimes of which he has been accused I cannot conceive

Even when a boy, I have heard hiet; and which have since been confirmed by his actions You were acquainted with none of them You speak from report; and from report which I am sure was false, and wicked His heart I know to have been compassionate, his principles such as no reat; though it saved my life

[Tears half choaked her utterance] But for him I should have been where he now is: a different train of eventsI owe hiive me if I cannot sit patiently and hear hiscould not be stifled]

since he is dead, you can no longer think hierous'

Oh Olivia!