Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/84

 'You must try him, Ma'am (said I as soon as I had recovered from my astonishment, and collected my wits together); write him one of the most cutting letters you can think of; and tell him you expect, as a man and a gentleman, he will make you immediate reparation for his injuries, by giving you his hand in marriage.'

'She accordingly wrote a letter to this purpose; and, at the expected time, an answer arrived, in which he informed her he still loved her to distraction; but that as to marriage, it was quite out of the question on account of his father, who would, he knew, if he so united himself, deprive him of all provision. He bid her, however, keep up her spirits, adding he would soon be at the castle; and had devised a scheme for preserving her from the indignation of her father, should her situation be discovered to him.

'Well, you may be convinced, we waited most impatiently for his arrival. He came soon after the receipt of his letter, accompa-