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Sir" coldly replied St, Andre, "A father who would at length acknowledge me, who calls for my hand to wipe away his tears, is certainly incapable of requiring any disgraceful conditions. Speak therefore; I listen to you without fearing such" "You must then," replied the steward, forever renounce a degrading as well as illegal marriage. A decent situation in life shall compensate Blanche for the distressing consequences of your mutual imprudence. Your consent alone in wanting to dissolve this shameful connection: every other step is already taken: in a word it is on these terms only that you can aspire" "Enough," interrupted St Andre, "I foresaw this detestable proposal from the beginning. I have had the patience to hear you and now in your turn observe my answer "I may be persecuted and oppressed; my wife and child may be torn from me; and I may be deprived of life itself: all these cruelties may be inflicted by tyranny armed with power but honour is a jewel they can never tear from me: I will ever preserve pure and unspotted: and shall be happy to suffer all for the dear object
