The Rival Beauties (Volume 2); A Novel

This historic book may have numerous typos or missing text. Not indexed. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1848. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... I must exert my philosophy; was the reply, but the tone in which it was uttered implied more uneasiness than pleasantry. A year hence, Sybil, and from what I see around me, I am quite aware that you must be penniless. You will tell me, perhaps, that the lovely face now so proudly turned towards me, will prevent such a climax; but do not deceive yourself. The fates only know why you have chosen a wilderness like this for so gorgeous a display, or what benefit you expect to derive from it; for here there cannot exist a single being capable of appreciating you; I will not say capable of loving you; for you have placed yourself upon too lofty a pedestal to encourage such advances; and, moreover, I know you to care little for exciting such a feeling. And yet I once loved you? Her companion shook his head; That you deceived yourself for a time into the belief, I will concede; he said gravely; but the result proved your mistake. Remember why, and how we parted. My necessities compelled me to the concession; murmured Sybil, as the hot blood burnt upon her cheek. Why will you wilfully misunderstand me? he asked impatiently; You know well that I made no allusion which could wound your pride--mine was a mere question of feeling. Be it so; said Miss Delamere; And now? Now, I would remind you how devotedly, how earnestly I loved you; and with what reluctance I lent myself to the wishes of my family, even after I discovered that it was in vain to hope that I could ever inspire you with an equally absorbing passion. Yes, Sybil, even then I loved you, although I could no longer shut my eyes to the fact that vanity was with you more powerful than affection; and that--but enough--I am not here to reproach, but to convince you that in my breast, at least, ...