The quivering of her
voice, however, when she attempted to reply, betrayed her apprehensions.
"I cannot listen to such a request from a stranger," she said. "If you
bring news from--from my father, why is it not told to Dr. Melmoth?"
"Because what I have to say is for your ear alone," was the reply; "and if
you would avoid misfortune now, and sorrow hereafter, you will not refuse
to hear me."
"And does it concern my father?" asked Ellen, eagerly.
"It does--most deeply," answered the stranger.
She meditated a moment, and then replied, "I will not refuse, I will hear
--but speak quickly."
"We are in danger of interruption in this place, and that would be fatal
to my errand," said the stranger. "I will await you in the garden."
With these words, and giving her no opportunity for reply, he drew back;
and his form faded from her eyes. This precipitate retreat from argument
was the most probable method that he could have adopted of gaining his
end. He had awakened the strongest interest in Ellen's mind; and he
calculated justly in supposing that she would consent to an interview upon
his own terms.
Dr. Melmoth had followed his own fancies in the mode of laying out his
garden; and, in consequence, the plan that had undoubtedly existed in his
mind was utterly incomprehensible to every one but himself.
Pages:
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53