preservation of his safety! It is impossible that I should understand you." "It is a knowledge you would not be happy in acquiring. Avert the necessity, by listening with complacency to the language of a heart which is all your "It seems to me, Mr. O'Neale, that you are threatening me, though I know not with what; you have formed an erroneous estimation of my character, if you think you can so influence me. It is only, if possible, making me more satisfied with my determination." "It seems to me that I have indeed mistaken your character: I thought you were a compound of engaging sweetness, yielding gentleness.” "I hope that I am never backward in yielding, when submission is my duty: but now, when you seem to have acquired a better knowledge of me, you will doubtless withdraw those favourable opinions which were founded in error." "Do you not remember, that I told you in the beginning of our conversation, that the animation of temper you discovered was a new charm; and as you tell me that you are accustomed to yield when submission is a duty, I beg you to consider if it is not so now. In rejecting me, you disclaim father's authority your exerted in behalf of his friend." 66 My father does not look upon you in the light of a friend. You provoke me to tell you so." "He does not look upon me in the light of a friend!-how do you know?" "I know it from his own lips." "This is his faith-his friendship! I swear I will be revenged." And O'Neale paced the room in a tumult of passion, "and he told me, that I was the object you most disliked in the world. That True he made you you would reject me. do so. You have not been left to your own unbiassed choice." "Then my father's wishes are not in this as you told me they were." Eliza's face flashed with joy, for she had before doubted. "How thankful I am!" "You need not be so, for I solemnly declare, that, if you persist in rejecting me, you shall to the last moment of your life deplore it. You shall pass through the world in wretchedness, dreading to meet even the eye of your friend; shunning the light of day, and fearing the gloom of night. All the glimpse of satisfaction you shall know is when you shall rejoice over departing years, that you have approached one nearer the grave, one less of the number which burden existence. "Do not think these are impotent menaces. As easily as I utter I could realize them. With the same breath which pronounces I could draw down these horrors. And what is it which withholds me? It is that I am loth to relinquish the hope to which I cling, that you will still hear me, still be happy yourself, and make me so. "Or do those tears disarm me. Tears! where is now the indignant courage which so lately supported you. All evaporating in tears. Eliza, see the power your tears. They bring me again to your feet. Do not again reject me.” of room; But Eliza rose, and, struggling with her emotion, endeavoured to leave the "You have shocked me, but I will not believe that you have the power to harm us. Nothing that you can say will alter my sentiments." "Perhaps my unfortunate manners are against me. I have not learned the trick of addressing your sex. I have not told you enough of your beauty and power; my own wretchedness and despair." "Mr. O'Neale, I have no answer to return you." "No, I see that it is your father |