Page:Clermont - Roche (1798, volume 4).djvu/221

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the person whom he resembled, she could not possibly recollect.


Dupont was young, handsome, and rather elegant; yet almost the moment Madeline beheld him, she conceived a prejudice against him;—his gentleness seemed assumed, and there was a fierceness, a boldness in his eyes, which at once alarmed and confused her.


When dinner was over, Madame Fleury proposed cards. Madeline immediately rose, and, declaring she never played, desired leave to retire to her chamber.


"No, (cried Dupont, also rising and taking her hand, whilst he gazed upon her with the most impassioned tenderness), we cannot let you go; we'll give up cards; we'll not think, not act, but as you like."

"I should be sorry, Sir (cried Madeline coldly, and withdrawing her hand), that the inclination of any person was sacrificed to mine; at present I am much better calcu-