that could not be feigned, his own eyes glistening,] who
can bear to behold such sweet emotion?--O charmer of my heart, [and,
respectfully still kneeling, he took my hand with both his, pressing it
to his lips,] command me with you, command me from you; in every way
I am implicit to obedience--but I appeal to all you know of your
relations' cruelty to you, their determined malice against me, and as
determined favour to the man you tell me you hate, (and, O Madam, if you
did not hate him, I should hardly think there would be a merit in your
approbation, place it where you would)--I appeal to every thing you
know, to all you have suffered, whether you have not reason to be
apprehensive of that Wednesday, which is my terror!--whether you can
possibly have another opportunity--the chariot ready: my friends with
impatience expecting the result of your own appointment: a man whose
will shall be entirely your will, imploring you, thus, on his knees,
imploring you--to be your own mistress; that is all: nor will I ask
for your favour, but as upon full proof I shall appear to deserve it.
Fortune, alliance, unobjectionable!--O my beloved creature! pressing my
hand once more to his lips, let not such an opportunity slip. You never,
never will have such another.

I bid him rise. He arose; and I told him, that were I not thus
unaccountably hurried by his impatience, I doubted not to convince
him, that both he and I had looked upon next Wednesday with greater
apprehension than was necessary. I was proceeding to give him my
reasons; but he broke in upon me--

Had I, Madam, but the shadow of a probability to hope what you hope, I
would be all obedience and resignation. But the license is actually
got: the parson is provided: the pedant Brand is the man. O my dearest
creature, do these preparations mean only a trial?

You know not, Sir, were the worst to be intended, and weak as you think
me, what a spirit I have: you know not what I can do, and how I can
resist when I think myself meanly or unreasonably dealt with: nor do you
know what I have already suffered, what I have already borne, knowing to
whose unbrotherly instigations all is to be ascribed--

I may expect all things, Madam, interrupted he, from the nobleness of
your mind. But your spirits may fail you. What may not be apprehended
from the invincible temper of a father so positive, to a daughter so
dutiful?--Fainting will not save you: they will not, perhaps, be sorry
for