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"She will do no such thing," answered he, coolly; for I have with me all the tender billets with which you favoured me in former days-billets which furnish such incontestable proofs of your tendresse, and the extent to which it led you, that I do not think an English prude would particularly like the infamy which the exposure of them would obtain for you. To preserve the reputation and the honour of her family unimpaired, your aunt will be disposed to grant me a legal right to the charms which her niece less ceremoniously yielded to me. The reason of my first seeking this interview with you was from a desire of sparing your feelings as much as possible. I want you to furnish me with a sufficient sum of money to enable me to come here in a manner becoming my birth, and your future husband. I shall, provided you do so, demand your hand, without making

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madame votre tante au fait of our having an-
ticipated her consent some twelve years ago.
I will plead the force of a long attachment;
and you will, with maidenly reserve, acknow-
ledge that your happiness depends on becoming
my
wife. She, like a good aunt, will yield to
our wishes; you will be made an honest woman,
and I a happy husband, sans doute.
compliance with this proposal, and I swear
that I will see your aunt in my present guise,
declare the position in which we stood to each
other, and inform her of my intention of giving
publicity to my right over you, unless she
agrees to purchase my silence by the gift of
half her fortune."

Refuse

The craft, the audacity, and the villany of this hardened wretch, are, as you see, matchless. I am caught in his toils; and escape is, I fear, hopeless.

"You are, perhaps, not aware," said I,

"that my aunt's fortune, which is not by any means large, is not entailed upon me, and that she may leave it to whom she likes."

"Yes, yes, I know all that," replied he; "I have made my inquiries."

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My aunt is far from being a fond one, as you seem to imagine, and would neither yield assent to my marrying you, unless you possessed a suitable fortune, nor consent to buy your silence at the price you name."

"We shall see, we shall see," answered he; and he turned in the direction of the park, leaving me transfixed with horror.

I called him back, almost maddened with the contending emotions of fear, shame, and hatred. Oh, God! Delphine, what were then my feelings what are they now! I asked

him to grant me a few hours to reflect; and he yielded to my entreaty with the air of a man who makes a sacrifice.

"En attendant, ma chère," said he, "I

want money."

I gave him the contents of my purse, consisting of a trifle only, at which he glanced contemptuously; observing, that it would scarcely furnish a copious repast and bed, of which he stood greatly in need. While he was secreting the money, I saw the handle of a poniard glittering in his breast; and I absolutely shuddered as I remarked the assassin-like scowl of his brow, which indicated no reluctance to use this concealed weapon. He noticed my agitation, and smiled.

"What! you are alarmed at this?" said he, drawing forth the dagger. "I never go

without it; it has stood my friend more than once in times of need: but do not be frightened, it wages no war with women". and he re

placed it" though at one period, I flatter myself, and you seemed to be of my opinion, that I was a lady-killer: mais tout celà est fini

à présent; et la seule dame que j'aime actuellement est la dame Fortune, qui est, entre nous soit dit, la seule qui m'ait résisté."

To have returned to the house for all the money that my desk contains, leaving him to loiter about the lane, would have exposed me to the risk of observation; and to have sent the money to him by a servant, would have been nearly as dangerous. He has, therefore, proposed coming to-night, after all are in bed, when I am to give it to him from the window of the state dressing-room, which, fortunately, opens into the park.

What am I to do? Oh! I would give worlds to be near you at this moment; to have your advice, and the protection of your husband, to shield me from this miscreant. He is quite capable of fulfilling all his menaces; and my aunt is so rigid, that she never would forgive me were she to know what he threatens

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