Page:Armatafragment00ersk.djvu/427

This page needs to be proofread.

( 199 )

¬tempted to work up into a scene of deep interest our desperate plan of an elopement from one world to another; for no less an adventure our mutual passion had the instant daring to project, and I had secretly engaged an adventurous navigator to run the hazard of our exploit, — hut worse evils than parental rejection lurked behind : She was obliged to continue the race of dissipation on the high road to a settlement of her father's choice, instead of calmly retiring with the object of her own ; and the race, alas ! was a short one — At an assembly, such as I have but too faithfully described, the dancers becoming breathless, in a small and crowded apartment, all the windows were thrown open, and the air rushing in upon her delicate frame, now more susceptible from anxiety and agitation, she was seized with a violent fever which, in a very few days, proved fatal to all our hopes. — I now re- vealed to Morven our unhappy secret, and as all expectations on this side the grave were extinguished, his friendship and compassion ad- mitted my visits even to the last moment of o 4 life, ¬