Cl. In order to support a right which he has not over me!--O Sir!--O
Captain Tomlinson!--I think I have reason to say, that the man, (there he
stands!) is capable of any vileness!--
The women looked upon one another, and upon me, by turns, to see how I
bore it. I had such dartings in my head at the instant, that I thought I
should have gone distracted. My brain seemed on fire. What would I have
given to have had her alone with me!--I traversed the room; my clenched
fist to my forehead. O that I had any body here, thought I, that,
Hercules-like, when flaming in the tortures of Dejanira's poisoned shirt,
I could tear in pieces!
Capt. Dear Lady! see you not how the poor gentleman--Lord, how have I
imposed upon your uncle, at this rate! How happy did I tell him I saw
you! How happy I was sure you would be in each other!
Cl. O Sir, you don't know how many premeditated offences I had forgiven
when I saw you last, before I could appear to you what I hoped then I
might for the future be!--But now you may tell my uncle, if you please,
that I cannot hope for his mediation. Tell him, that my guilt, in giving
this man an opportunity to spirit me away from my tried, my experienced,
my natural friends, (harshly as they treated me,) stares me every day
more and more in the face; and still the more, as my fate seems to be
drawing to a crisis, according to the malediction of my offended father!
And then she burst into tears, which even affected that dog, who, brought
to abet me, was himself all Belforded over.
The women, so used to cry without grief, as they are to laugh without
reason, by mere force of example, [confound their promptitudes;] must
needs pull out their handkerchiefs. The less wonder, however, as I
myself, between confusion, surprise, and concern, could hardly stand it.
What's a tender heart good for?--Who can be happy that has a feeling
heart?--And yet, thou'lt say, that he who has it not, must be a tiger,
and no man.
Capt. Let me beg the favour of one word with you, Madam, in private;
and that on my own account.
The women hereupon offered to retire. She insisted that, if they went,
I should not stay.