Charlotte Smith

“ D'Alonville then asked after the two ladies De Touranges; "Oh," answered he, "we do not meet so often now as we did while you and Ned were here; but they are well, and the young one is quite an angel. I rode over to look in upon them two days since, and I found the Marquise, I mean the mother, quite delighted with the good fortune that she had that morning heard was likely to befall her friend's Mrs. Denzil's family." ”

“ Yet I thought there was something about the mother of this charming girl, that seemed to indicate a mind superior to those considerations that would urge her to sacrifice her daughter, and such a daughter! to a man whose only recommendation must surely be his wealth. Perhaps, however, Angelina may like him. There was a time when in fortune I should have been his equal, in birth his superior ”

“ He there began to call himself to account for the folly he was guilty of having thus indulged a passions so little likely to be fortunate, and enquired of his reason how it could have slumbered so far as to have betrayed him into hopes so salacious.—"The moment such a young person is seen, it is impossible not to suppose that she must be admired, and the first man of fortune that proposes is accepted. ”

“ Oh! you would not guess it, Chevalier, in a thousand years; for in France, if girls were ever consulted in the disposal of themselves, such a reason would not be listened to a moment—it was because she did not like the man. ”

“ Heavens! that you should choose such a subject of discourse, when my thoughts are busied with one so different." They then renewed their conversation on the family at Besthorpe; and Ellesmere agreed that D'Alonville who was impatient to renew his visits there, should go the next day to Captain Caverly's, who would be happy to see him, and that Edward Ellesmere should follow him as soon as he could; taking leave at once of his family instead of returning to do so, as he had proposed at the beginning of their conversation. ”

“ A pause, however, at last gave D'Alonville leave to ask after his friends on the other side of the heath, though he felt himself change countenance as he made the enquiry. "Oh!" cried Madame de Touranges; "I have half quarrelled with my friend, and shall quarrel with her quite, if she continues so unaccountable." D'Alonville dreaded to ask; but it required no great patience to attend for an explanation to Madame de Touranges, who was a quick and decisive talker. "You know," said she, "that prettiesh girl—that you Chevalier admired—the third of Madame Denzil's daughters—well ”

“ Disappointed in this, he has since submitted to continue the difficult dissimulation, because he sees no other means revenging the evils he has sustained. The long, long misery of being separated from all he holds dear ”