Saying this, he went out of the room; Arabella eagerly opened the letter; and, finding it in a style so different from what she expected, her dislike of him returned with more violence than ever.
Ah! the traitor! said she aloud, is it thus that he endeavours to move my compassion? How greatly did I over-rate his affection, when I imagined his despair was capable of killing him? Disloyal man! pursued she, walking about, is it by complaints to my father that thou expectest to succeed? And dost thou imagine the heart of Arabella is to be won by violence and injustice?
In this manner she wasted the time allotted for her to write; and, when the marquis sent for her letter, having no intention to comply, she went to his chamber, conjuring him not to oblige her to a condescension so unworthy of her.
The marquis, being now excessively angry with her, rose up in a fury, and, leading her to his writing-desk, ordered her, instantly, to write to her cousin.
If I must write, my lord, said she, sobbing, pray be so good as to dictate what I must say.
Apologize for your rude behaviour, said the marquis; and desire him, in the most obliging manner you can, to return.
Arabella, seeing there was a necessity for obeying, took up the pen, and wrote the following billet:
"The unfortunate Arabella, to the most ungenerous Glanville.
"It is not by the power I have over you, that I command you to return, for I disclaim any empire over so unworthy a subject; but, since it is my father's pleasure I should invite you back, I must let you know, that I repeal your banishment, and expect you will immediately return with the messenger who brings this. However, to spare your acknowledgments, know, that it is in obedience to my father's absolute commands, that you receive this mandate from
"Arabella."
Having finished this billet, she gave it to the marquis to read; who, finding a great deal of his own haughtiness of temper in it, could not resolve to check her for a disposition so like his own: yet, he told her, her style was very uncommon. And pray, added he, smiling, who taught you to superscribe your letters thus? "The unfortunate Arabella, to the most ungenerous Glanville." Why, Bella, this superscription is wholly calculated for the bearer's information: but come, alter it immediately; for I don't choose my messenger should know, that you are unfortunate, or that my nephew is ungenerous.
Pray, my lord, replied Arabella, content yourself with what I have already done in obedience to your commands, and suffer my letter to remain as it is: methinks it is but reasonable I should express some little resentment at the complaint my cousin has been pleased to make to you against me; nor can I possibly make my letter more obliging, without being guilty of an unpardonable meanness.