But the feeling
was of short duration. It was but a momentary contrition, which a
selfish hope or a burst of passion could dissipate.
"I will restore your fortune, on one condition," said he. "You can
accept or reject it, at your option."
"I beg your pardon," suggested the attorney, "these were not exactly the
terms of our contract."
"Name the condition, uncle," added Emily, indifferently; for she was
anxious to have the business, whatever it might be, finished, so that
she could again plead with Jaspar for his personal reformation, for she
was a little encouraged by the appearance of humiliation he had
manifested.
"I restore your fortune, on condition that you give your hand to this
gentleman in marriage;"--and Jaspar again fixed his eyes on the floor,
as if he dreaded the outbreak of a storm.
"This gentleman!" exclaimed Emily, indignantly. "This gentleman!"--and
she gazed upon him with a proud look of contempt, from which the
attorney would fain have hid his head. Her surprise was equal to her
indignation. Vernon had told her that _Maxwell_ was to be the suppliant
for her hand, and she could not see why his menial had the presumption
to claim her.
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