Part 63 (1/2)

”If I strictly adhere to the principle of justice, I ly consider my oishes; which ratified I e, who may be more benefited by the enjoyment of that which I am desirous to appropriate to ratification to superior utility?”

'Mine is a case in point

'Again: property is left for which he may be induced to contend; and which, should he do so, will probably be dissipated in law If not, it may with no less probability be decided by law to be mine He affirms that to contend at law is immoral

'Do you and he listen to what I have now to say

'I a my conduct I have a heart more capable of affection than you, Lydia, have reason to suppose; and I love you My aood than I have ever done you harm I am once more at my own disposal; and, unless that ardent love which you fored, which I do not believe it is, I am now sincerely desirous to make you my wife

'But I will not deceive you I can only be such a husband as you desire on condition of being left in quiet possession of that which I believe to be my own I have ruined my character Offices of emolument are not easily obtained; but, if they were, I aar; deprived of all the blessings in which the fools around me , till they turn the, and unmolested: but, if I must either prey or be preyed upon, I aoose

'I know you will conde you whatinto their defence

'Supposing Mr Trevor to be convinced that the laill decide the property contested in his favour, the sacrifice dereat to be expected from any man Yet, from what I have heard and what I know, this is the sacrifice that I do expect I expect it fro to seek justice by the aid of law I expect it froood And I expect it froht be restored to that happiness which, for a time, you have lost

'Should he or you conclude that the inate in that artifice of which I have been very justly accused, I ought perhaps to feel no surprise, and shall certainly make no complaint

But, believe me or believe me not, I have spoken with a sincerity of heart for which I aain but little credit Such I feel, at thissubjects itself

I am athought still to possess nothing better than this cunning assaults es hts, and without addition to sign myself

F WAKEFIELD'

While I read, the eyes of Miss Wilmot were fixed upon my countenance

Whenever I looked toward her, I could perceive the strong eitated

When I had ended, I said--'Mr Wakefield is indeed an extraordinary th and clearness of his e of the human heart, e recollect how these faculties have been e If this be a plan of artifice, it is little less thanelse?'

Miss Wilh, and attempted to speak: but she only stammered Her utterance failed; and her eyes were cast on the floor

Hope and despair were coest

She wished to confide, she wished to plead for the possibility of his being sincere: but the mischief he had inflicted, the deceit he had practised, and a reiven me of him, rushed upon her mind; and her spirits sunk

'Look up, lovely Lydia,' said I, taking her hand, 'and revive There is, there must be hope The man who could write this letter cannot be all villain'

The struggle of the passions was violent A momentary wildness, such as I had formerly witnessed, flashed in her eyes; she started fro into tears exclaiain upon the chair

Eager to relieve a heart so overcharged, I again addressed her 'If,'

said I, 'the property left by Mr Wakefield's uncle can really be e hi you happy, let s Let ar: but let me obey the purest passions of the heart, when they are sanctioned by the best principles of the understanding'

Till this instant she had forgotten that, if I consented to enrich hiht no sooner occurred than she cried, 'No! It must not be! It cannot be! To require it of you is infamous It debases him, and would make me hate myself; were I to participate in such an action'

'You judge too severely,' I replied 'I am not so unfortunately circumstanced as he is My character is not lost I am not shut out of society I have friends, plans, and prospects; and, granting hiuments, as far as they relate to him and me, are I suspect unanswerable Of that sincerity I would fain not doubt: but it is our mutual duty to be wary Here therefore at present theno action, till tiht to pursue'