When," he pursued
solemnly, "you have learnt the extent of my love for the
one, and of my hatred for the other, and the wrongs I
have endured from both, you will no longer wonder at the
spirit of mingled love and vengeance that dictates my
conduct towards yourself. Listen, girl," he continued
fiercely, "and judge whether mine are injuries to be
tamely pardoned, when a whole life has been devoted to
the pursuit of the means of avenging them."
Irresistibly led by a desire to know what possible
connection could have existed between her parents and
this singular and ferocious man, the wretched girl gave
her passive assent. She even hoped that, in the course
of his narrative, some softening recollections would pass
over his mind, the effect of which might be to predispose
him to mercy. Wacousta buried his face for a few moments
in his large hand, as if endeavouring to collect and
concentrate the remembrances of past years. His countenance,
meanwhile, had undergone a change; for there was now a
shade of melancholy mixed with the fierceness of expression
usually observable there. This, however, was dispelled
in the course of his narrative, and as various opposite
passions were in turn powerfully and severally developed.
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