Part 9 (1/2)

'A deserted outcast from society--a desolate orphan--as to becoirl! have I then forfeited all your confidence--have you not a mother and a friend, who love you--' he stopped--paused--and added 'with o?--re years'--again he hesitated,--'I am about to return to town, assure me, that you will continue with Mrs Harley--it will soften the pain of separation'

I struggled for more fortitude--hinted at the narrowness of my fortune--at my wish to exert my talents in some way, that should procure me a less dependent situation--spoke of my active spirit--of my abhorrence of a life of indolence and vacuity

He insisted onthese subjects for the present 'There would be tih, in future, for their consideration In theht depend upon hi kindness, aided by the affectionate attentions of radually, lulled itated, only, by a slight and sweet eentle undulations of the ocean, when the winds, that swept over its ruffled surface, are hushed into repose

CHAPTER XXIV

Another hts, the deceitful poison of hope A few days before that appointed for the departure of Augustus, I received a visit fro his confinement, I had made many enquiries, and it ith unaffected pleasure that I beheld him perfectly restored to health I introduced hiratulated him upon his recovery, and treated him with that polite and cordial hospitality which characterized them He was on his way to Morton Park, and was particular in his enquiries respecting the late conduct of the lady of the mansion, of which he had heard some confused reports I could not conceal from him our final separation, but, aware of his inflammable temper, I endeavoured to soften my recital as far as was consistent with truth and justice It ith difficulty, that our united persuasions induced him to restrain his fiery spirit, which broke out into menaces and execrations I represented to hi had been already explained; that the affair had now subsided; that a reconciliation was neither probable nor desirable; that any interference, on his part, would only tend to mutual exasperation, from which I must eventually be the sufferer'

I extorted from him a promise--that, as he was necessitated to meet Mr Morton on business, he would make no allusions to the past--I should beit supposed, that I stood in need of a _champion_--Mr Morton had no doubts of the rectitude of my conduct, and it would be barbarous to involve hiue, at the request of Augustus, spent that day, and the next, with us I thought, I perceived, that he regarded Mr Harley with a scrutinizing eye, and observed my respect for, and attention to, him, with jealous apprehension Before his departure, he requested half an hour's conversation with me alone, hich request I i co to London to pursue his medical studies--that, on his return, his father had proposed to establish him in his profession--that his prospects were very favourable, and that he should esteeht, yet, hope to soften my heart in his favour, and to place me in a more assured and tranquil position'

I breathed a heavy sigh, and sunk into a melancholy reverie

'Speak to me, Emma,' said he, with impatience, 'and relieve the anxiety I suffer'

'Alas! What can I say?'

'Say, that you will try to love me, that you will reward my faith and perseverance'

'Would to God, I could'--I hesitated--my eyes filled with tears--'Go to London,' resumed I; 'a thousand new objects will there quickly obliterate from your remembrance a romantic and ill-fated attachment, to which retireiven birth, and which owes its strength merely to opposition'

'As that opposition,' retorted he, 'is the offspring of pride and insensibility--'

I looked at hiue, my situation is far more pitiable than yours _I am, indeed, unhappy_,'

--added I, after a pause; 'I, like you, aination'

He eagerly entreated me to explain myself

'I will not attempt to deceive you--I should accuse myself, were I to preserve any sentiht tend to remove your present illusion It is, I confess, with extreme reluctance--with real pain'--I trembled--my voice faultered, and I felt e a hopeless, an extravagant'--I stopped, unable to proceed

Fire flashed from his eyes, he started from his seat, and took two or three hasty strides across the rooustus Harley shall dispute with me a prize'--