Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/101

 his union with any one who could not increase the consequence, and add to the opulence of his house.

'Upon hearing this, the Earl, though gently, blamed him for having encouraged a tenderness for his daughter, and explicitly desired him to leave the castle. The Count, instead of promising to do so, fell at his feet, and besought him not to banish him from the woman he adored. 'Suffer me to marry her (cried he), and whilst my father lives to conceal my marriage.'

'The pride and rectitude of the Earl for a long time resisted this entreaty; but the repeated solicitations of the half-distracted St. Julian, and the tears of his daughter, at length extorted a consent to their union.

'On St. Julian's return to the habitation of his father, he met with you. Soon after that meeting, he planned a scheme for again visiting his lovely bride; you were the companion of his journey. Ere your appearance at the castle, the family were apprised of your intended visit and connexion with him.