"Tressilian," answered the lady, "I cannot, I must not, I dare not leave

this place. Go back to my father--tell him I will obtain leave to see

him within twelve hours from hence. Go back, Tressilian--tell him I am

well, I am happy--happy could I think he was so; tell him not to fear

that I will come, and in such a manner that all the grief Amy has given

him shall be forgotten--the poor Amy is now greater than she dare name.

Go, good Tressilian--I have injured thee too, but believe me I have

power to heal the wounds I have caused. I robbed you of a childish

heart, which was not worthy of you, and I can repay the loss with

honours and advancement."

"Do you say this to me, Amy?--do you offer me pageants of idle ambition,

for the quiet peace you have robbed me of!--But be it so I came not

to upbraid, but to serve and to free you. You cannot disguise it from

me--you are a prisoner. Otherwise your kind heart--for it was once a

kind heart--would have been already at your father's bedside.--Come,

poor, deceived, unhappy maiden!--all shall be forgot--all shall be

forgiven. Fear not my importunity for what regarded our contract--it was

a dream, and I have awaked. But come--your father yet lives--come, and

one word of affection, one tear of penitence, will efface the memory of

all that has passed."

"Have I not already said, Tressilian," replied she, "that I will surely

come to my father, and that without further delay than is necessary to

discharge other and equally binding duties?--Go, carry him the news;

I come as sure as there is light in heaven--that is, when I obtain

permission."

"Permission!--permission to visit your father on his sick-bed, perhaps

on his death-bed!" repeated Tressilian, impatiently; "and permission

from whom? From the villain, who, under disguise of friendship, abused

every duty of hospitality, and stole thee from thy father's roof!"

"Do him no slander, Tressilian! He whom thou speakest of wears a sword

as sharp as thine--sharper, vain man; for the best deeds thou hast

ever done in peace or war were as unworthy to be named with his, as thy

obscure rank to match itself with the sphere he moves in.--Leave me!

Go, do mine errand to my father; and when he next sends to me, let him

choose a more welcome messenger."

"Amy," replied Tressilian calmly, "thou canst not move me by thy

reproaches. Tell me one thing, that I may bear at least one ray of

comfort to my aged friend:--this rank of his which thou dost boast--dost

thou share it with him, Amy?--does he claim a husband's right to control

thy motions?"




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