Friendship, gratitude, and esteem, are all I have left to give; and is that a compensation for love? The more you have conceived for me, the more right you have to expect a suitable return, and what return can I make? The impossibility of performing that duty is the object that prevents my making myself liable to it; nevertheless, I behold you all in a situation that would soften the most obdurate heart. Mine, alas! is but too sensible, I cannot bear the shocking thought of being the cause of your distress. How can I hear your generous, worthy parents, reproach me with their loss. I will, therefore forget for a while what I am, and leave you to be the arbitrator of my destiny. It is yours to decide, and choose which is most agreeable to you, either to ⟨conquer⟩ your passion, and strive to forget me, or tako the hand of one whose heart is possessed by another object has nothing to bestow but friendship and esteem— and what are they to satisfy a lover’s ardent expectations. It is enough, replied he, tenderly, such exalted friendship equals love. I may, perhaps, be jealous of the tears I shall see you shod for a former husband, but the cause of my jealousy will only make you more estimable in my eyes, and dearer to my soul. She is mine! cried Fonrose, precipitating himself into his fond parents arms. It is to the respect and gratitude she has for you that I owe my happiness, and it is owing to a superior Being. Adelaide could not appeal from the sentence. Did she consent merely through pity and gratitude? I believe she did— she believed it herself, and I will not cease to admire her.
Before she left the valley, she would revisit the tomb which sho quitted with regret. O my dear Oreston she cried, if from the mansions of the dead thou ⟨canst⟩ have seen my struggles, and read the bottom of my heart, thy shade will not murmur at the sacrifice I make to comfort a virtuous family.
THE END.
