Give me a chance to make you mine for
ever; and, if I fail, treat me as I shall deserve; desert me at once; and
then I'll never reproach you; I'll only die for you; as I have lived for
you ever since I first saw your heavenly face."
The passionate woman paused at last, but her hot cheek and heaving bosom
and tender convulsive hand prolonged the pleading.
I am afraid few men of her own age would have resisted her; for voice and
speech and all burning, melting, and winning; and then, so reasonable,
lads; she did not stipulate for constancy.
But Alfred turned round to her blushing and sorrowful. "For shame!" he
said; "this is not love: you abuse that sacred word. Indeed, if you had
ever really loved, you would have pitied me and Julia long ago, and
respected our love; and saved us by giving me my freedom long ago. I am
not a fool: do you think I don't know that you are my jailer, and the
cunningest and most dangerous of them all?"
"You cruel, ungrateful!" she sobbed.
"No; I am not ungrateful either," said he more gently. "You have always
come between me and that kind of torture which most terrifies vulgar
souls: and I thank you for it.
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