He no sooner perceived that the superscription
was in Emilia's handwriting, than he guessed the nature of the
contents; and, opening the seal with disordered eagerness, found
the jewels he had given to her enclosed in a billet, couched in
these words:--
"That I may have no cause to reproach myself with having
retained the least memorial of a wretch whom I equally
despise and abhor, I take this opportunity of restoring
these ineffectual instruments of his infamous design upon
the honour of "Emilia."
His chagrin was so much galled and inflamed at the bitterness
of this contemptuous message, that he gnawed his fingers till the
blood ran over his nails, and even wept with vexation. Sometimes
he vowed revenge against her haughty virtue, and reviled himself
for his precipitate declaration, before his scheme was brought to
maturity; then he would consider her behaviour with reverence and
regard, and bow before the irresistible power of her attractions.
In short, his breast was torn by conflicting passions: love, shame,
and remorse, contended with vanity, ambition, and revenge; and the
superiority was still doubtful when headstrong desire interposed,
and decided in favour of an attempt towards a reconciliation with
the offended fair.
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