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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1824 Excerpt:...man, why did you take such pains to be undone? Why lull me into dreams of happiness, till I forgot that I was poor and wretched?--Deceiver of yourself and me, I thought we trod on flowers, and never spied the precipice behind you. Fred. I see no precipice--I fear none. Eliza. Hear me, my Frederic, let love stand off a while, and give your ear to reason.--'Tis fit, that you should know the heart for which you have risked so much.--Our marriage was a rash one; be that my witness how I loved you, for never till this day, had I the recollection of one act that weighed upon my conscience, or reproached me with the sin of disobedience in the slightest instance. But, though I wanted firmness to oppose your love, I am not void of courage to prevent your ruin.--Have patience! hear me out--Sir Stephen Bertram wished for money; I have none to give him; the fortune of my house is crushed, the spirit yet survives, even in. me, the weakest, and, perhaps, the humblest of the name: but I resist contempt, and if he spurns my poverty, I have a sure resource that shall compel him to applaud my spirit. Fred. What do you mean Your looks, your language, terrify me. Eliza. Oh! I have loved you far too well to trifle. I will convince the world 'twas not by interest my heart was gained: 'twas not to keep off want, to live at ease, and make the noble relics of my family retainers of his charity, I married to Sir Stephen Bertram's son; it was with worthier, purer views, to share his thoughts, unite my heart to his, and make his happiness my own. These sentiments are my inheritance; if these will not suffice for his ambition, they will teach me how to act becoming of my-firth, under the imputation of his son's seducer. Fred. Hence with that word! It is a profanation to your lips. Was...