Page:The Mysterious Warning - Parsons (1796, volume 2).djvu/4

 ungrateful and disdainful, and must I be the sufferer for saving her father's life? No, I would teach her to love, or if not to love, to obey and please me; I would consult my own gratification, nor bear the insult of rejection from a preference to another! Thus determined, love, pride, and resentment, took full possession of my soul, and I resolved to urge a quick completion of the nuptial rites.

The Count joined me soon after, and congratulated himself and me on our success.—"Bear with her coldness, my dear Baron (said he) I know her principles, her integrity. In a very short time she will be sensible of her duties, and become every thing you can wish for; the sooner the marriage takes place the better." This met my wishes, and we settled it that the ceremony should be performed in three days. At supper, when sent for, she directly followed the servant; she spoke not, but tried to eat; it was an attempt only, for she could not swallow. The Count and myself addressed her with the kindest expressions. She only bowed; but being