the
passage: yet lightning was not quicker than I.

Again I brought her back to the dining-room, with infinite reluctance on
her part. And, before her face, ordered a servant to be placed
constantly at the bottom of the stairs for the future.

She seemed even choked with grief and disappointment.

Dorcas was exceedingly assiduous about her; and confidently gave it as
her own opinion, that her dear lady should be permitted to go to another
lodging, since this was so disagreeable to her: were she to be killed for
saying so, she would say it. And was good Dorcas for this afterwards.

But for some time the dear creature was all passion and violence--

I see, I see, said she, when I had brought her up, what I am to expect
from your new professions, O vilest of men!--

Have I offered t you, my beloved creature, any thing that can justify
this impatience after a more hopeful calm?

She wrung her hands. She disordered her head-dress. She tore her
ruffles. She was in a perfect phrensy.

I dreaded her returning malady: but, entreaty rather exasperating, I
affected an angry air.--I bid her expect the worst she had to fear--and
was menacing on, in hopes to intimidate her; when, dropping to my feet,

'Twill be a mercy, said she, the highest act of mercy you can do, to kill
me outright upon this spot--this happy spot, as I will, in my last
moments, call it!--Then, baring, with a still more frantic violence, part
of her enchanting neck--Here, here, said the soul-harrowing beauty, let
thy pointed mercy enter! and I will thank thee, and forgive thee for all
the dreadful past!--With my latest gasp will I forgive and thank thee!--
Or help me to the means, and I will myself put out of the way so
miserable a wretch! And bless thee for those means!

Why all this extravagant passion? Why all these exclamations? Have I
offered any new injury to you, my dearest life? What a phrensy is this!
Am I not ready to make you all the reparation that I can make you? Had I
not reason to hope--

No, no, no, no, as before, shaking her head with wild impatience, as
resolved not to attend to what I said.

My resolutions are so honourable, if you will permit them to take effect,
that I need not be solicitous where you go, if you will but permit my
visits, and receive my vows.--And God is my witness, that I bring you not
back from the door with any view to your dishonour, but the contrary: and
this moment I will send for a minister to pu