As you please, Madam.
And then (the servants being withdrawn) I urged her again for the
assurance, that she would meet me at the altar on Thursday next. But to
no purpose.—May she not thank herself for all that may follow?
One favour, however, I would not be denied, to be admitted to pass the
evening with her.
All sweetness and obsequiousness will I be on this occasion. My whole
soul shall be poured out to move her to forgive me. If she will not,
and if the promissory note should fall in my way, my revenge will
doubtless take total possession of me.
All the house in my interest, and every one in it not only engaging to
intimidate and assist, as occasion shall offer, but staking all their
experience upon my success, if it be not my own fault, what must be the
consequence?
This, Jack, however, shall be her last trial; and if she behave as
nobly in and after this second attempt (all her senses about her) as
she has done after the first, she will come out an angel upon full
proof, in spite of man, woman, and devil: then shall there be an end of
all her sufferings. I will then renounce that vanquished devil, and
reform. And if any vile machination start up, presuming to mislead me,
I will sooner stab it in my heart, as it rises, than give way to it.
A few hours will now decide all. But whatever be the event, I shall be
too busy to write again, till I get to M. Hall.
Mean time, I am in strange agitations. I must suppress them, if
possible, before I venture into her presence.—My heart bounces my bosom
from the table. I will lay down my pen, and wholly resign to its
impulses.