Basswood books

"Dear Laura, let us both forgive"--and
he seized her band and would have drawn her towards him. He thought that
she was relenting, and already assumed the airs of a victor.
But she shrank back, and her tears passed away; and she fixed on him a
look so melancholy and severe, that the young man in his turn shrank
before it. "Do not mistake me, Arthur," she said, "it cannot be. You do
not know what you ask, and do not be too angry with me for saying that I
think you do not deserve it. What do you offer in exchange to a woman for
her love, honour, and obedience? If ever I say these words, dear Pen, I
hope to say them in earnest, and by the blessing of God to keep my vow.
But you--what tie binds you? You do not care about many things which we
poor women hold sacred, I do not like to think or ask how far your
incredulity leads you. You offer to marry to please our mother, and own
that you have no heart to give away. Oh, Arthur, what is it you offer me?
What a rash compact would you enter into so lightly? A month ago, and you
would have given yourself to another.


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