⟨she⟩ alone can reveal. Is she married? No; she is a ⟨widow⟩; but her heart is not the less engaged, nay, it is ⟨rather⟩ bound with stronger chains. Madam, said the ⟨Count⟩ to Adelaide, as they had entered the cabin, you ⟨see⟩ how you turn tho heads, as well as captivato all that hear the name of Fonrose. Nothing could have justified my son’s extravagant passion, but so virtuous, so loving ⟨an⟩ object. My wife’s utmost wishes were to have you ⟨for⟩ a friend; my son cannot live without you for a wife; ⟨and⟩ it would be my greatest happiness to have you for a ⟨daughter.⟩ Oh! consider how many that love you ⟨would⟩ be wretched, if you refuse your consent. Ah! ⟨sir⟩, replied Adelaide, your goodness perplexes me: lend ⟨me⟩ awhile your attention, and judge my situation. She ⟨then⟩, in the presence of the old folks, related her ⟨sad⟩ story, adding the name of the family, which the ⟨Count⟩, was well acquainted with; and she finished ⟨her⟩ narration by taking him for a witness of the ⟨inviolable⟩ fidelity she owed her husband. At these words ⟨a⟩ consternation appeared in their looks. Young ⟨Fonrose⟩, bursting with grief, threw himself into a corner of the hut, to give vent to his sorrows. His afflicted father ⟨laid⟩ himself down by him, casting his eyes on Adelaide. Madam, said he, behold the effect of your resolution. ⟨The⟩ Countess pressing her in her bosom, Ah! will you, then, said she, give cause to lament a second time the ⟨death⟩ of our dear child! Why did you restore him to ⟨us⟩! The good old people, penetrated with what they ⟨saw⟩ and heard, their eyes fixed on Adelaide, waited for ⟨her⟩ determination. Heaven knows, says she, I would ⟨willingly⟩ give up my life to acknowledge all this, ⟨unbounded⟩ generosity. I own it would be the height of ⟨misery⟩, if I had to upbraid myself of having been the ⟨cause⟩ of yours. I leave the decision of our fate to your ⟨son⟩— let me have a few minutes’ conversation with him. ⟨Then⟩ retiring by themselves, Fonrose, said she, you ⟨know⟩ what sacred rites bind me here. If I could cease to lament the loss of him who loved and doted on me ⟨even⟩ beyond discretion, I should be deservedly despised.
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The Shepherdess of the Alps.
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