“So then you think it is an unworthy action to oppose Mr. Wenlock! Very well, sir. Then I suppose you wish him success; you wish that I may be married to him?”
“I, Madam!” said Edmund, confused; “what am I that I should give my opinion on an affair of so much consequence? You distress me by the question. May you be happy! may you enjoy your own wishes!”
He sighed, he turned away. She called him back; he trembled, and kept silence.
She seemed to enjoy his confusion; she was cruel enough to repeat the question.
“Tell me, Edmund, and truly, do you wish to see me give my hand to Wenlock? I insist upon your answer.”
All on a sudden he recovered both his voice and courage; he stepped forward, his person erect, his countenance assured, his voice resolute and intrepid.
“Since Lady Emma insists upon my answer, since she avows a dislike to Wenlock, since she condescends to ask my opinion, I will tell her my thoughts, my wishes.”
The fair Emma now trembled in her turn; she blushed, looked down, and was ashamed to have spoken so freely.
Edmund went on. “My most ardent wishes are, that the fair Emma may reserve her heart and hand till a certain person, a friend of mine, is at liberty to solicit them; whose utmost ambition is, first to deserve, and then to obtain them.”
“Your friend, Sir!” said Lady Emma! her brow clouded, her eye disdainful.