marquis and marchioness of Porretta, could I have avoided it. Had
your passion given me any advantage over you, and I had obtained your
sword, (a pistol, had the choice been left to me, I had refused for both
our sakes,) I would have presented both swords to you, and bared my
breast: It was before penetrated by the distresses of the dear
Clementina, and of all your family--Perhaps I should only have said, 'If
your lordship thinks I have injured you, take your revenge.'

And now, that I am at Naples, let me say, that if you are determined,
contrary to all my hopes, to accompany me to Rome, or elsewhere, on my
return, with an unfriendly purpose; such, and no other, shall be my
behaviour to you, if the power be given me to shew it. I will rely on my
own innocence, and hope by generosity to overcome a generous man. Let
the guilty secure themselves by violence and murder.

Superlative pride! angrily said he, and stood still, measuring me with
his eye: And could you hope for such an advantage?

While I, my lord, was calm, and determined only upon self-defence; while
you were passionate, and perhaps rash, as aggressors generally are; I did
not doubt it: but could I have avoided drawing, and preserved your good
opinion, I would not have drawn. Your lordship cannot but know my
principles.

Grandison, I do know them; and also the general report in your favour for
skill and courage. Do you think I would have heard with patience of the
once proposed alliance, had not your character--And then he was pleased
to say many things in my favour, from the report of persons who had
weight with him; some of whom he named.

But still, Grandison, said he, this poor girl!--She could not have been
so deeply affected, had not some lover-like arts--

Let me, my lord, interrupt you--I cannot bear an imputation of this kind.
Had such arts been used, the lady could not have been so much affected.
Cannot you think of your noble sister, as a daughter of the two houses
from which you sprang? Cannot you see her, as by Mrs. Beaumont's means
we now so lately have been able to see her, struggling nobly with her own
heart, [Why am I put upon this tender subject?] because of her duty and
her religion; and resolved to die rather than encourage a wish that was
not warranted by both?--I cannot, my lord, urge this subject: but there
never was a passion so nobly contended with. There never was a man more
disinterested, and so circumstanced. Remember only, my