Page:Records of the Life of the Rev. John Murray.djvu/95

Rh by your proposals." But, sir, have we your consent? "Undoubtedly, sir, and with my whole heart." This was sufficient, and I was completely happy. But, alas! "never did the course of true love run smooth." We were on the verge of a most distressing calamity: this brother, in whom we had reposed unlimited confidence, became my inveterate foe, and writing an anonymous letter to his grandfather, he represented me as a fortune-hunter, who was seeking to obtain the heart of his grand-daughter, for the purpose of making a prey of her property! This letter produced the desired effect; the old gentleman was extremely irritated, and, sending for Eliza, he put the letter into her hand, and sternly asked her, if she had entered into any engagement with a person by the name of Murray? when, receiving an answer in the affirmative, he gave full credit to all the rest, and being a man of violent passions, he threatened her with the loss of his favour, if she did not immediately promise to renounce me forever. He was well apprized, if he could obtain her promise, he had nothing further to apprehend. The firm, self-collected girl, implored his pardon, if she did not yield credence to the slanders, contained in the despicable scrawl he had placed in her hand; she besought him to see me, to converse with me; promising, that if, upon a personal acquaintance, he continued to disapprove, she would endeavour to bend her mind to an acquiescence with his will. Her grandfather was inexorable; he would admit no conditions; and ultimately assured the young lady, if she did not relinquish every thought of me, she must give up all idea of ever receiving a single penny of his property. He granted her three days for deliberation, during which period, she was to consider herself a prisoner. Of this, most unexpected event, I speedily gained intelligence, and my soul was torn by apprehension. To Eliza I could have no access, and even the intercourse, by letter, was suspended! In this state of agonizing suspense I remained, until, through the instrumentality of the chambermaid, a letter was brought to Mrs. Allen for me, which letter, while it gave a most affecting detail of her sufferings, contained the fullest assurance of her unbroken faith, and steadfastness. She recommended it to me, to apply to the same Source, from whence she herself had derived consolation; to the Almighty Father of our spirits, who held in His hands all hearts; and, she added, that no power, short of Omnipotence, should ever prevail upon her to give her hand, unaccompanied by her heart; and that, in a few hours, she should be so circumstanced, as to prove the sincerity of my affection, for she was speedily to render her final answer to her