Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/236

 say, 'that your daughter, having thoroughly investigated his character, declines, in the most decided manner, the favour he intended her of a hand, without a heart, or a name, to bestow.' Do not add another word, my dear father, his conscience will speak all the rest that may be necessary."

"I will comply with your wishes," answered Mr. D'Alenberg; "my dear Theresa, you are a heroine."

"No," said she, with a faint smile, "it requires no heroism to give up a man one despises. Count Wolfran is not the man a sensible mind can regret. When once the object we had been taught to esteem through false lights, is proved to be a man capable of the vilest duplicity, and most atrocious wickedness, our detestation and contempt must rise in proportion to the deception of our senses, and the heart can endure but little pain in shutting out such an object for ever."