and do bear in kindly remembrance how different my life has been to the general run of feminine experience.”
"I could not help your being left to run wild half over the world; so don't reproach me with it," exclaimed Lord Avonleigh, half pettish, half sullen.
"I reproach no one; but I would fain entreat you to remember, that many years—youth's most eager and sensitive years—passed ere I knew there was a human being to whom I was accountable for my actions."
"And now you have only to obey my commands."
"I will obey in what I can; but affection is neither in your power nor even in my own."
"Affection! and, pray, what have you to do with affection?"
"Very little indeed," replied his daughter, the tears she could not repress glistening on her long dark lashes; "And yet I have known it, Sir, long before I was aware of a father's claims upon my obedience. My heart was given, and my hand promised, to one who, though noble and rich himself, yet delighted to share his prosperity with the poor Italian orphan. Circumstances, which it would only weary you to detail, prevented
