By complying with
my request, you will increase the esteem which I already feel for
you, and of which everything convinces me that you are truly
deserving.'
'Your frankness charms me,' replied Lorenzo; 'You shall find that
in your favourable opinion of me you were not deceived. Yet I
hope that the reasons, now in my power to allege, will persuade
you to withdraw a request which I cannot obey without infinite
reluctance. I love your Daughter, love her most sincerely: I
wish for no greater happiness than to inspire her with the same
sentiments, and receive her hand at the Altar as her Husband.
'Tis true, I am not rich myself; My Father's death has left me
but little in my own possession; But my expectations justify my
pretending to the Conde de las Cisternas' Daughter.'
He was proceeding, but Elvira interrupted him.
'Ah! Don Lorenzo, you forget in that pompous title the meanness
of my origin. You forget that I have now past fourteen years in
Spain, disavowed by my Husband's family, and existing upon a
stipend barely sufficient for the support and education of my
Daughter. Nay, I have even been neglected by most of my own
Relations, who out of envy affect to doubt the reality of my
marriage. My allowance being discontinued at my Father-in-law's
death, I was reduced to the very brink of want. In this
situation I was found by my Sister, who amongst all her foibles
possesses a warm, generous, and affectionate heart. She aided me
with the little fortune which my Father left her, persuaded me to
visit Madrid, and has supported my Child and myself since our
quitting Murcia.
Pages:
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257