greeted her with a familiar air. On seeing him, she became much
agitated, and would have walked rapidly away, had he not caught her by
the arm and forcibly detained her.

This gentleman was a person of distinguished appearance, tall, graceful
figure, and fashionably dressed.--His countenance though eminently
handsome, was darkly tinged with Southern blood, and deeply marked with
the lines of dissipation and care. He wore a jet-black mustache and
imperial and his air was at once noble and commanding. 'My pretty
Sophia,' said the stranger, in a passionate tone--'why do you fly from
me thus? By heavens, I love you to distraction, and have sworn a solemn
oath that you shall be mine, though a legion of fiends oppose me!'

'Pray let me go, Mr. Radcliff,' said the young girl entreatingly--'you
wish me to do wrong, and I cannot consent to it, indeed I cannot. As you
are a gentleman, do not persecute me any more.'

'Persecute you--_never!_' exclaimed the libertine; 'become mine, and you
shall have the devotion of my life-time to repay you for the sacrifice.
Consent, sweet girl.'

'Never!' said Sophia, firmly; 'had you honorably solicited me to become
your wife, I might have loved you; but you seek my ruin, and I despise,
detest you. Let me go, sir, I implore--I command you!'

'Command _me_!' exclaimed the libertine, his eyes sparkling with
rage--'silly child, it is George Radcliff who stands before you; a man
whom none dare presume to command, but whom all are accustomed to
_obey_! I am a monarch among women, and they bow submissive to my
wishes. Listen, Sophia; I have for years plucked the fairest flowers in
the gardens of female beauty, but I am sated with their intoxicating
perfume, and sick of their gaudy hues. Your luxurious mother and fiery
sister were acceptable to me for a time, and I enjoyed their voluptuous
caresses with delight; but the devil! the conquest was too easily
achieved. I soon grew tired of them and was about to withdraw my
patronage, when to retain it, they mentioned _you_, describing you to be
a creature of angelic loveliness; my passions were fired by the
description, and I longed to add so fair and sweet a lily to the
brilliant bouquet of my conquests. They sent for you to New Jersey; you
came, and surpassed my highest anticipations. I paid your mother and
sister a large sum for you, promising to double the amount as soon as
you should become mine. I have so far failed in my efforts; unwilling to