Page:The Adventures of David Simple (1904).djvu/286

 him immediately to leave me, and return to his father's, which would be the only means of preventing the whole family from being miserable.

"He looked some time steadfastly on me, and then asked if I thought his love had no stronger a foundation than to give me up so easily. As soon as he had spoken these few words he left me, without waiting for a reply, with an indignation in his countenance which plainly showed I had not succeeded in my scheme; and indeed the event proved how much I was mistaken when I had flattered myself with the vain hope of meeting with any greatness of mind from him.

"As he saw the only thing which in the least staggered my resolution was the fear of making his sister uneasy, he went directly to her, and instead of acting as I had desired him, he increased his complaints, and swore he could never have the least enjoyment in life unless she could prevail on me to be less cruel to him. In short, I was his present passion, and he was very careless what the consequence of it was to me, provided he could gratify himself. Had I before had any inclination for him, this would entirely have conquered it; for the contrast was so great between his behaviour and that of the generous Dumont, who visibly sacrificed his own peace to his love for me and his friendship for my brother, that my love for the latter increased equally with my detestation of the former. "As I was sitting in my chamber the next morning, musing and reflecting on my own hard fate—that when I seemed so near my happiness, such an accident as this should intervene to throw down all my hopes, and make me more wretched than ever—my brother suddenly entered the room, and seeming eager to speak to me, began by saying, "Oh ! Isabelle, Vieuville—" I had not patienc to let him go on, but interrupted him, crying out that I