Now, hear me: my resolve is taken, and no earthly
influence or persuasion shall stay me. 1 was bewildered, yet flattered
by your follies: foolish and thoughtless enough to frolic and flutter on
the very brink of a precipice. I was dazzled by the glittering but
dangerous excitement. Conscience spoke, but I durst not listen. My
course of life hitherto has been through scenes of gentleness and peace,
and I could not look on your bustle and dissipation without alarm. Yet
was I persuaded to mingle in your sports yesterday--that day hallowed by
the last fiat of its Creator, wherein the soul, freed awhile from the
cares of earth, may prostrate itself in homage before Him who said, 'It
is mine!' Justly punished for trifling with my better thoughts, my
escape shall not be without its acknowledgment."
Sir John was silent. She stood before him like some purer, brighter
thing than could be deemed akin to this polluted earth.
"Those siren waves were bearing me on to the gulf where"--She paused a
moment, shuddering at the dark retrospect of the past. "Where all your
pomp and pageantry will be overwhelmed, and yourselves, for ever, in the
same irretrievable ruin!"
Sir John looked uneasy, and his eye wandered, as if in search of some
object wherewith to throw off these gloomy anticipations.
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