Long
secret suffering, doubt, and suspense, wring this confession from
me, Monsieur Lomaque, almost unawares, in defiance of caution, in
defiance of all the conventionalities of society. You have lived
for years under the same roof with this man; you have seen him in
his most unguarded and private moments. I tempt you to betray no
confidence--I only ask you if you can make me happy by telling me
that I have been doing your master grievous injustice by my
opinion of him? I ask you to take my hand, and tell me if you
can, in all honor, that my sister is not risking the happiness of
her whole life by giving herself in marriage to Danville
to-morrow!"
He held out his hand while he spoke. By some strange chance,
Lomaque happened just at that moment to be looking away toward
those beauties of Nature which he admired so greatly. "Really,
Monsieur Trudaine, really such an appeal from you, at such a
time, amazes me." Having got so far, he stopped and said no more.
"When we first sat down together here, I had no thought of making
this appeal, no idea of talking to you as I have talked," pursued
the other. "My words have escaped me, as I told you, almost
unawares; you must make allowances for them and for me. I cannot
expect others, Monsieur Lomaque, to appreciate and understand my
feelings for Rose. We two have lived alone in the world together;
father, mother, kindred, they all died years since, and left us.
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