Page:Horrid Mysteries Volume 3.djvu/16

 thick hazel-bush. He tied a ribband round the neck of his little darling, and having finished the task, he could not refrain from kissing him, and uttering the words, "Poor Thonon! we must part: however, thou wilt always be dearer to me than what thou art to purchase for me."

"These words wounded my heart like a dagger; and my whole situation lay, at once, undisguised before my eyes. I was ready to faint; and could scarcely refrain from rushing forth, and letting him see an Elmira entirely different from that he had known till then. Yet rage and pain fortunately stifled my tears and sighs, and I arrived at my apartment without being seen by him.

"As soon as I had recovered my recollection, I saw plainly how necessary it was not to give up the part I had begun to act. I prevailed upon myself, after a hard struggle, to assume again the semblance of cheerfulness, and an air of tranquil resignation. The dog was presented to me,