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.

THE ENTHUSIASM OF LOVE.

117

"That assurance is enough for me. I will eagerly
listen to your story, but not until my fate is decided.
Have pity on that sinking frame and that wounded heart
which you behold; there is but one cure, and that is deposited in your hands. To every other my joy or sorrow,
my life or death, is indifferent. Will you take me to your
bosom? Shall my image be fostered and my soul find
peace there? or shall I cast myself upon a sea of storms
and perils, and vanish from this scene forever?"
"How you grieve me! I beseech you, be not so impetuous. Listen to my story first, and then say in what
manner I ought to act."
"There is no room for delay. Say you will be mine,
and then I shall enjoy repose; I shall be able to listen.
Till then I am stretched upon the rack. Answer me!
will you be mine?"
" Oh, no!" I replied; " while I have a heart not wholly
sordid and selfish, I cannot consent: my conscience will
not let me."
"Find consolation," he answered, "in the approbations,of that conscience, for a sentence that has ratified the
doom of one who deserved differently from you. I perceive you are inflexible, and will therefore leave you."
"But whither are you going? Will you not return to
Clara?"
"To Clara! No. Far different is the path that I am
to tread. I shall never see her more."
He now moved towards the door, as if going. *
"Philip, what can you mean? Stay; do not go till
you have heard me further. I entreat you, as you value
my peace and my life, hear me further."
"Will you then consent?" said he, returning with a
more cheerful brow. "How good you are! The same
dear girl, the same angelic benignity, as formerly. Confirm my happiness by new assurances; confirm it by permitting this embrace."
I was compelled to avert my face,-to repulse him
from my arms.
"To what unlooked-for trials have you subjected me!
But I must not retract my resolutions. No, Philip, the
bar between us is insuperable. I must never be yours."