mistress of my whole estate, and I shall think myself happy in
living dependent on your bounty!"

Heavens! what were the emotions of the virtuous, the sensible, the
delicate, the tender Emilia's heart, when she heard this insolent
declaration from the mouth of a man whom she had honoured with her
affection and esteem! It was not simply horror, grief, or indignation,
that she felt, in consequence of this unworthy treatment, but the united
pangs of all together, which produced a sort of hysteric laughter, while
she told him that she could not help admiring his generosity.

Deceived by this convulsion, and the ironical compliment that attended
it, the lover thought he had already made great progress in his
operations, and that it was now his business to storm the fort by a
vigorous assault, that he might spare her the confusion of yielding
without resistance. Possessed by this vain suggestion, he started up,
and, folding her in his arms, began to obey the furious dictates of his
unruly and ungenerous desire. With an air of cool determination, she
demanded a parley; and when, upon her repeated request, he granted it,
addressed herself to him in these words, while her eyes gleamed with all
the dignity of the most awful resentment:--

"Sir, I scorn to upbraid you with a repetition of your former vows
and protestations, nor will I recapitulate the little arts you have
practised to ensnare my heart; because, though by dint of the most
perfidious dissimulation you have found means to deceive my opinion,
your utmost efforts have never been able to lull the vigilance of my
conduct, or to engage my affection beyond the power of discarding you
without a tear, whenever my honour should demand such a sacrifice.
Sir, you are unworthy of my concern or regret, and the sigh that now
struggles from my breast is the result of sorrow, for my own want of
discernment. As for your present attempt upon my chastity, I despise
your power, as I detest your intention. Though, under the mask of the
most delicate respect, you have decoyed me from the immediate protection
of my friends, and contrived other impious stratagems to ruin my
peace and reputation, I confide too much in my own innocence, and the
authority of the law, to admit one thought of fear, much less to sink
under the horror of this shocking situation, into which I have been
seduced. Sir, your behaviour on this occasion is, in all respects, low
and contemptible. For, ruffian as you ar