Could not my Emily accompany me? my
friend, my companion, the mistress of my soul! Nay, do not look so,
Emily! Your father may grieve for a while, but your father shall be
taken care of; this bank-bill I intend as the comfort for his
daughter.'
"I could contain myself no longer: 'Wretch,' I exclaimed, 'dost
thou imagine that my father's heart could brook dependence on the
destroyer of his child, and tamely accept of a base equivalent for
her honour and his own?'
"'Honour, my Emily,' said he, 'is the word of fools, or of those
wiser men who cheat them. 'Tis a fantastic bauble that does not
suit the gravity of your father's age; but, whatever it is, I am
afraid it can never be perfectly restored to you: exchange the word
then, and let pleasure be your object now.'
"At these words he clasped me in his arms, and pressed his lips
rudely to my bosom. I started from my seat. 'Perfidious villain!'
said I, 'who dar'st insult the weakness thou hast undone; were that
father here, thy coward soul would shrink from the vengeance of his
honour! Cursed be that wretch who has deprived him of it! oh doubly
cursed, who has dragged on his hoary head the infamy which should
have crushed her own!' I snatched a knife which lay beside me, and
would have plunged it in my breast, but the monster prevented my
purpose, and smiling with a grin of barbarous insult -
"'Madam,' said he, 'I confess you are rather too much in heroics for
me; I am sorry we should differ about trifles; but as I seem somehow
to have offended you, I would willingly remedy it by taking my
leave.
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