“‘Laura,’ said I, with difficulty finding utterance, ‘do we thus part, and for ever?’ She made no answer, but gazed steadfastly at the rich carpet, while her face, though somewhat paler than usual, betrayed no change of muscle.
“‘Laura,’ I repeated, in tones more distinct, ‘are we now to part, and for ever?’
“‘Father says so,’ she replied. Her hand fell from my grasp. The unmoved, indifferent manner of her reply froze my blood in my veins! I again stared at her composed features in astonishment allied to contempt.
“‘But what do you say?’ I asked, with a bluntness that startled her.
“‘Father knows best, perhaps!’ she replied, turning her eyes to mine, I thought, with calmness.
“‘Laura,’ said I, again taking her hand, for I was once more subdued by her beauty, ‘I love you with my whole soul, and must continue to love you. Ay, were you even to spurn me with your foot, so indissolubly have my affections grown to your image, that my bleeding heart would turn in adoration to the smiter. And I fondly hoped and believed that the passion was returned—indeed, I had your assurance of the fact; nay, think not I design to reproach you. It were bootless, had I the heart to do it. Be assured that were you not only cruel to me, but steeped in crime and guilty of injustice to the whole human race, I would still be your friend were all others to forsake you. Deem me never your foe, or capable of ever becoming such. May heaven bless you! We part—but, under any circumstances, should adverse fortune overtake you and I can be of service, I beg you not to hesitate to apply to me. You will find me still your friend. I will not attempt to reverse the decision which you have made. However humiliating and poignant the thought may be that I was unconsciously the means of introducing the object that influenced your decision, yet I will not murmur, neither will I become his enemy, for your sake. I hope you will be happy. I pray that heaven may incline your heart to be true and constant to Wold.’
“‘I hope so,’ said she in a low tone.
“‘Laura,’ said I, rising, ‘you confess, then, that Wold possesses your love?’
“‘Yes,’ said she; ‘but I cannot help it!’
“‘Farewell!’ said I, kissing her yielding hand, and turning deliberately away, though with the sensation of one stunned by a thunderbolt. I returned home, and threw myself like a loathsome carcass upon my couch. I could not even think. My mind seemed like some untenanted recess in the unfathomable depths below. Instantaneous death, and even eternal perdition afterwards, could have presented no new horrors then. It was haply the design of Providence that the thought of self-destruction should not occur to me. With the means in my reach, I would in all probability have rushed, uncalled and unprepared, into the presence of an offended Creator.