He left
the room, and presently re-appeared, conducting her in
from another: I thought she looked more beautiful than
ever, but, alas! I had the inexpressible horror to
discover, before a word was uttered, that all the fondness
of her nature was indeed transferred to your father. How
I endured the humiliation of that scene has often been
a source of utter astonishment to myself; but I did endure
it. To my wild demand, how she could so soon have forgotten
her vows, and falsified her plighted engagements, she
replied, timidly and confusedly, she had not yet known
her own heart; but if she had pained me by her conduct,
she was sorry for it, and hoped I would forgive her. She
would always be happy to esteem me as a friend, but she
loved her Charles far, far better than she had ever loved
me. This damning admission, couched in the same language
of simplicity that had first touched and won my affection,
was like boiling lead upon my brain. In a transport of
madness I sprang towards her, caught her in my arms, and
swore she should accompany me back to the oasis--when I
had taken her there, to be regained by my detested rival,
if he could; but that he should not eat the fruit I had
plucked at so much peril to myself.
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