The novels of Charles Brockden Brown, consisting of Wieland;or, The transformation. Arthur Mervyn; or, Memoirs of the year 1793. Edgar Huntly; or, Memoirs of a sleep-walker. Jane Talbot. Ormond; or, The secret witness. Clara Howard; or, The enthusiasm of love. With a memoir of the author.

68

ORMOND; OR,

These declarations were heard by. her visitant with
marks of unspeakable vexation. He did not fail to expatiate on the equity of his demands, the moderation
and forbearance he had hitherto shown, notwithstanding
the extreme urgency of his own wants, and the inflexible rigour with which he had been treated by his creditors.
This rhetoric was merely the prelude to an intimation
that he must avail himself of any lawful means by which
he might gain possession of his own.
This insinuation was fully comprehended by Constantia, but it was heard without any new emotions.
Her knowledge of her landlord's character taught her to
expect but one consequence. He paused to observe what
effect would be produced by this indirect menace. She
answered, without any change of tone, that the loss of
habitation and furniture, however inconvenient at this
season, must be patiently endured. If it were to be
prevented only by the payment of money, its prevention
was impossible.
M'Crea renewed his regrets that there should be no
other alternative. The law sanctioned his claims, and
justice to his family, which was already large, and likely
to increase, required that they should not be relinquished; yet such was the mildness of his temper and
his aversion to proceed to this extremity, that he was
willing to dispense with immediate payment on two conditions. First, that they should leave his house within
a week; and secondly, that they should put into his hands
some trinket or movable, equal in value to the sum demanded, which should be kept by him as a pledge.
This last hint suggested an expedient for obviating the
present distress. The lute with which Mr. Dudley was
accustomed to solace his solitude was, if possible, more
essential to his happiness than shelter or food. To his
daughter it possessed little direct power to please. It was
inestimable merely for her father's sake. Its intrinsic
value was at least equal to the sum due, but to part with
it was to bereave him of a good which nothing else could
supply. Besides, not being a popular and salable instrument, it would probably be contemptuously rejected
by the ignorance and avarice of M'Crea.