You will misconstrue my every word and action; You will seize every circumstance with avidity, which encourages you to hope the return of your affection; Insensibly your passions will gain a superiority over your reason; and far from these being repressed by my presence, every moment which we pass together, will only serve to irritate and excite them.

Believe me, unhappy Woman! you possess my sincere compassion.

I am convinced that you have hitherto acted upon the purest motives; But though you are blind to the imprudence of your conduct, in me it would be culpable not to open your eyes.

I feel that Duty obliges my treating you with harshness: I must reject your prayer, and remove every shadow of hope which may aid to nourish sentiments so pernicious to your repose.

Matilda, you must from hence tomorrow.' 'Tomorrow, Ambrosio?
Tomorrow?
Oh! surely you cannot mean it! You cannot resolve on driving me to despair! You cannot have the cruelty....' 'You have heard my decision, and it must be obeyed.