CHAPTER V.
The repulse Lord Margrave received, did not diminish the ardour of his pursuit; for as he was no longer afraid of resentment from the Earl, whatever treatment his daughter might receive, he was determined the anger of Lady Matilda, or of her female friend, should not impede his pretensions.
Having taken this resolution, he laid the plan of an open violation of all right; and determined to bear away that prize by force, which no art was likely to procure. He concerted with two of his favourite companions, but their advice was, “One struggle more of fair means.” This was totally against his inclination; for, he had much rather have encountered the piercing cries of a female in the last agonies of distress, than the fatigue of her sentimental harangues, or elegant reproofs, such as he had the sense to understand, but not the capacity to answer.
Stimulated, however, by his friends to one more trial, in spite of the formal dismission he had twice received, he intruded another visit on Lady Matilda at the Farm. Provoked beyond bearing at such unfeeling assurance, Matilda refused to come into the room where he was, and Miss Woodley alone received him, and expressed her surprise at the little attention he had paid to her explicit desire.
“Madam,” replied the nobleman, “to be plain with you, I am in love.”
“I do not the least doubt it, my Lord,” replied Miss Woodley: “nor ought you to doubt the truth of what I advance, when I assure you, that you have not the smallest reason to hope your love will be returned; for Lady Matilda is resolved never to listen to your passion.”
“That man,” he replied, “is to blame, who can relinquish his hopes, upon the mere resolution of a lady.”
“And that lady would be wrong,” replied Miss Woodley, “who should entrust her happiness in the care of a man, who can think thus meanly of her and of her sex.”
“I think highly of them all,” he replied; “and to convince you in how high an estimation I hold her in particular, my whole fortune is at her command.”