pursued she, "'tis neither confidence nor friendship, but love I demand. Here I deposit it at your feet, and if your cruelty reject it—my bosom shall bear these pangs till the grave will case me of my burden."
Here she reposed her head on my knee, and a long pause ensued. I could not help shedding tears, and am assured my friend did as much for his unhappy wife.
I endeavoured to raise the countess, "Rise, madam," quoth I, "you ask too much from me. Can Caroline give way to so unworthy a passion?"
—"No, Carlos," replied she, "I know I ask what is reasonable. Years have I known thee and thy susceptible heart. It has always been open to the tenderest love, and for me alone thou wilt now be cruel!"
—"No, Caroline; the wife of my bosom-friend, is, after him, the next to my heart. I once loved you with too much juvenile fondness, and renounced my passion, to resign all its claims into the hands of the noblest and most deserving of men."
