Page:Stories after Nature.pdf/28

4 Her father went into the garden, and walked some time, thinking; then, sending for Lysius, he led him into a chamber, and sitting opposite to him, he told him of his daughter's passion, and his willingness to lay good fortune on him; but to ponder on it, and have a care that he did not by future neglect waste his child's life. And, for all the severity of his speech, a tear stood in his eye. Lysius answered, "Sir, if I were insensible to the beauty of your child, I must be more than stone; but affection is a matter of deep birth, and cannot be called up of one's own accord. I do more honour your daughter than love her; but considering my poorness of fortune, and the good estate I shall receive at your hands, I will so far bind myself as to marry your daughter, and will do all in my power to behave virtuously towards her; teaching myself (if it may so be) continual lessons of affection, so that in time I may perhaps fully answer her passion: but this is in the hands of fate. I will at all hazards treat her delicately and honourably." The old man hearing this, approving of his open manner of speech, and the confession of his feelings, embraced him; and went instantly to his daughter, and told her of what had passed, than which nothing more could rejoice her; so that she despised her bed, and