Page:The Garden of Romance - 1897.djvu/19

Rh mistaken; I have more to surmount than merely the vigilance of a father; you love an insensible object, who delights in letting those burn with unrequited passion who suffer themselves to be charmed with her beauty; she will not allow them the least relief; she listened to me with pleasure whilst I talked to her only of the pain she made you suffer, but no sooner did I open my mouth to persuade her to allow you an interview, than she cast an angry look at me, and said, 'You are very insolent to attempt to make such a proposition; and I desire you will never see me more, if it be only to hold such conversations as this.'

"'But let not that afflict you,' continued the old lady; 'I am not easily discouraged, and provided you do not lose your patience, I hope at last to accomplish my design.' Not to protract my narration (said the young man), I will only say that this good messenger made several fruitless attempts in my favour with the haughty enemy of my peace. The vexation I endured increased my disorder to such a degree, that the physicians gave me over. I was therefore considered as a man who was at the point of death, when the old lady came to give me new life.

"That no one might hear her, she whispered in my ear, 'Think of the present you will make me for the good news I bring you.' These words produced a wonderful effect; I raised myself in my bed, and replied with transport, 'The present will not be deficient; what have you to tell me?' 'My dear sir,' resumed she, 'you will not die this time, and I shall soon have the pleasure of seeing you in perfect health, and well satisfied with me; yesterday being Monday, I went to the lady