Angelina: Or, The Mystery of St. Mark's Abbey — page 177: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

104 ’ ANGELINA’ OR, left to the indulgence of her own reflections. Deeply ald she lament the suffer- ings which the unfortunate Bridget bad undergone fer -ber sake; but un- boundedly grateful she was that she had at last been liberated, and she earnestly hoped that she might speedily recover from the effeets of the brutal ‘treatment she had received, and be permitted again to see her. This day passed away without anything taking place to call for any particu- lar notice here; the baron did not visit her, and the night went over in much the same manner as the preceding one had done. On the third morning, how- ever, after the old woman had left the room, the door was unfastened, and De Merton entered, and advanced with a look of eagerness and admiration, to- wards Angelina. The damee] felt a strange tremour seize her when he entered, but with a powerfal effort she quickly recovered herself, and prepared to meet him with firmness and decision. ‘* Beauteous Angelina!” said the baron, in insinuating accents, “I hope that at our last interview I did not say anything that ought to have excited your displeasure; but if I did, I pray you to aitribute it to the impetuosity of my love, which hurries me on, and gives me not time to think. Should I have been so unfortunate, sweet maiden, most readily will I make you all the re~ paration in my power. Nay, do not frown, that brow ‘was never formed for anything but smiles, and anger ne’er should choose it for a resting place. Again I come to offer you the homage of a heart, which, while the current of life circulates within my veins, must throb alone for you.” As he spoke, he bent one knee to the floor, and attempted te take the hand of our heroine, but she withdrew it with an expression of disgust and ebkor- rence,.and in a voice of indignation, replied,— ‘Villain! is itthus you insult and wound the feelings of one whom you have already racked to torture ?”’ ‘s Ah, maiden,” sa‘d the baron, a flush. of afiger suffesing his cheeks, and his brow becoming slightly contracted, ‘‘ you turn from me with scora, end look upon me with hatred. What can 1 do to win bat a smile from your sweet lips—to elicit one werd of kindness? To gain your affections, there ie no sacrifice that I would consider too great; then avert not your head in wrath, but say you pardon me for the step to which I have been drivea only by love, and that you will listen to the vows of one whe will abanden ‘everything else for you.” It would be impossible to describe the emotion of Angelina during this speech. Her bosom swelled alternatety with feelings of indignation, shame, and insulted virtue, and speech was almost denied her, until the baron once more attempted to‘take her hand, when, in tones of firmness and dignity, she , ejaculated,— ‘Ss Away, my lord—your language is a disgrace to your sex, and shoeld callthe blush of shame upon your cheeks !— Away, and no longer con- taminate mine ears with the expression of sentiments which can only excite my disgust and hatred. Think you, because the humble Angelina is poor, that she is to be won to your base purposes ?—Think yeu that you will tris umph in your guilt with impunity }—-No—be sure that justice will yet overs take you, and that you will be punished for the several outrages you have committed against a defenceless girl, who never gave you cause for cenmity.’”’ COMIC OOOKS. EO