Page:The Castle of Wolfenbach - Parsons - 1854.djvu/108

 you have been the delight, the darling of my heart, and now, when my love is stronger than ever, am I to be thrown off at once: have you no feeling for the wretchedness you doom me to for the remainder of my life?" "Oh! Sir, what can I say (answered Matilda:) impressions once strongly conceived are difficult to eradicate; the conversation I overheard is ever present to my mind, and could I forget that then my reverence for my uncle would return, and I should shudder at the idea of a nearer connexion. When I think of it, and indeed, Sir, I have endeavoured to think of it, an unaccountable repugnance makes the idea horrible to me; yet after all, if you persist in wishing me to become your wife, I do not think myself at liberty absolutely to refuse, but I tell you candidly, I never can love you; that though I will obey you, and do my duty, I know I shall be miserable, and in that persuasion surely 'tis impossible I can make you happy." "I am sensible (said he) that my age is against me, I cannot expect to be loved like a young fellow, but by unremitting attentions to please will make me deserving your esteem." "Well, Sir, (said Matilda, hastily) it is fit you should prefer your own happiness to mine, I have no right to refuse, nor any way of discharging the obligations I owe you for the care of my early life, but by the sacrifice of the maturer part of it."

Unable any longer to struggle with the grief and horror that oppressed her, she burst into tears. Her friends felt for her, but were as yet silent. Mr. Weimar took her hand and kissed it, "Cruel Matilda, is this the return for all my tenderness; but I do not prefer my own happiness to your's; consider, pardon me if I say, consider your situation; with all the charms you possess, such is the cruel prejudice against those who have neither friends nor family to protect and provide for them, that in France you could not hope or expect any proper establishment." "Hold, Sir, (said she, with indignation) do not insult me: I