Page:Duty and Inclination. Volume 3.pdf/56

54 "You know but little of the female heart," said Melliphant drily, "if you think, by opposing Mrs. Belmour in her wish, that you thereby advance your interest either with her or with Rosilia! One or other of those objects, or even both you would obtain," added he, with a sarcastic smile. "The means of possessing a legitimate right to the fortune of Mrs. Belmour is, you will allow, by marriage only; and the means of possessing a return of love from Rosilia, again, may seem as if by marriage only; but as our laws do not admit the privilege of two wives, you must e'en make your choice; I see no alternative. If you make up your mind to the widow and her fortune (certainly ample enough to purchase pleasures of every sort), the fear of losing the acquisition of your title, through the medium of jealousy, infused from your attentions to Rosilia, may lead her to take a more open part, and no longer tamper with you as she has hitherto done. And, on the contrary, if as a last effort, you would wish to put to the trial how far you have succeeded in winning over to yourself the affections of the other, your court paid to her rival, in her presence, will instantly convince you. She who makes every feeling visible by the successive variations of her countenance, fluttered aspect, and involuntary blush, will afford you intimations which you cannot for an instant mistake. Thus, receive it as my friendly advice, no longer dangle after each; accept the one, and renounce the other. Bring them together! and let the circumstances as I have described fix your choice, and