"Not so long as I have you still with me, Susannah: but if I am obliged to mix again with the world, tell me, Susannah, will you reject me?—will you desert me?—will you return to your own people and leave me so exposed? Susannah, dearest, you must know how long, how dearly I have loved you:—you know that, if I had not been sent for and obliged to obey the message, I would have lived and died content with you. Will you not listen to me now, or do you reject me?"
I put my arm round her waist, her head fell upon my shoulder, and she burst into tears. "Speak, dearest, this suspense is torture to me," continued I.
"I do love you, Japhet," replied she at last, looking fondly at me through her tears; "but I know not whether this earthly love may not have weakened my affection towards Heaven. If so, may God pardon me, for I cannot help it." After this avowal, for a few minutes, which appeared seconds, we were in each other's arms, when Susannah disengaged herself.
"Dearest Japhet, thy father will be much displeased." "I cannot help it," replied I, "I shall submit to his displeasure."
"Nay, but, Japhet, why risk thy father's wrath?"
"Well, then," replied I, attempting to reach her lips, "I will go."
"Nay, nay—indeed, Japhet, you exact too much—it is not seemly."
"Then I won't go."
"Recollect about thy father."
"It is you who detain me, Susannah."