ask what was the _object_ of that
kindness?"

"I always endeavor to do unto others as I would have them do to me. If you
think such a course wrong, I cannot help it."

"Then you would wish some person, who had the power, to show you all
manner of good will, until your affections were won, and so firmly fixed as
to be unalterable, and then cast you off?"

"No, I should be far from desiring such conduct on the part of any one."

"And yet that is your way of 'doing as you would be done by!'"

"I am not aware of ever having done so; if I have been the unwitting
instrument of such acts, I am truly sorry for it."

"Then let your sorrow work repentance."

"Tell me how, and I will try to do so."

"You cannot be ignorant of my meaning."

"I am totally at a loss to know how your remarks can apply to me, in any
way."

"Then I will speak plainly. Your actions for the last few months have been
such as to bid me hope for a return of my love, and allured by that hope,
founded on those actions, I have placed my affections so strongly, that I
fear it will be death to tear them away. As you have caused me to love, is
it demanding more than justice that I should ask you to at least _try_ to
love me in return?"

"Mr. Durant, you know that your accusations are untrue. Did you not just
tell me that you loved before you ever spoke to me on the subject? and have
you not repeatedly, aye, a hundred times, told me I was cold toward you,
ever evincing a want of cordiality? How, then, can you have the face to ask
a return of love on this score? Since you have been at such pains to make
out so contradictory a case, I will say that you but lessen yourself in my
esteem by the attempt!"

"I see, alas, you are a heartless coquette!"

"Because I will not place the half of my father's wealth in your
possession. I have read your motive from the beginning, sir, and have only
refrained from telling you my mind, because I make it a rule to have the
good will of a dog, in preference to his ill will, when I can. But as your
conduct to-day has removed the last thin screen from your real character,
and revealed your naked depravity of heart, I care not even for your
friendship. You know, you _feel_, that you are a degraded wretch, and that
you are unworthy of the society of the virtuous."

"Madam, those words just spoken have sealed your fate! Dog as I am, I have
the power to work your ruin, and _I will do it_! I go from your presence a
bitter a