‘Come, come,’ interrupted Blodget, and a slight scowl passed over his brows, ‘I do not mind a little flattery, but when it proceeds to extremes, I must acknowledge that I have not a stomach to take it. Any epithet that you may apply to me, you must be aware cannot have any other effect than that of exasperating me to that which I might afterwards be sorry for. But how can you be so foolish as to remain thus obstinately opposed to the wishes of a man who would make it his unceasing study to render you happy?’
‘Happy!’ exclaimed Inez, ‘and dare you talk to me of happiness, when I am torn from all that renders life desirable? Wretch, unnatural monster you must think me, to be capable of listening to the licentious vows of a man who has been the author of all my miseries! Talk to me of happiness, and keep me confined in this awful house, surrounded only by the votaries of guilt, who would not hesitate to dye their hands in my blood.’
‘They dare not; they act alone by my orders,’ answered Blodget. ‘But why thus delay the time in conversing on matters of no immediate interest? Again, Inez, I solicit your love. Say that you will be mine, all but that which the idle ceremony of wedlock can make you, and there is not a pleasure which gold can purchase, or this world supply, which you shall not have at your command. We will hasten far from hence, and in a place where we are unknown, forget that there are others than ourselves in existence.’
Inez shuddered with horror at the coolness and effrontery with which the libertine uttered these expressions, and she could scarcely believe that she was standing in the presence of a human being.
‘Oh, no,’ replied Blodget, ‘think not that I can be induced to leave you so soon this day, at any rate. Upon your determined answer your fate depends.’
‘You have already had my answer,’ returned Inez.
‘Will nothing persuade you to alter it?’
‘Nothing, by Heaven!’
‘Beware! take not an oath!’
‘I can with safety, for nothing would induce me to swerve from it.’