He knew that no ordinary motive had
swayed him to a condescension so extraordinary in a man of his
punctilious temper. He considered it, therefore, as the genuine
effect of eager gratitude and disinterested love, and his heart
began to relent accordingly. When he heard himself conjured in the
name of the gentle Sophy, his obstinacy was quite overcome; and when
Emilia was recalled to his remembrance, his whole frame underwent
a violent agitation. He took his friend by the hand, with a softened
look; and, as soon as he recovered the faculty of speech, which
had been overpowered in the conflict of passions that transported
him, protested, that he retained no vestige of animosity, but
considered him in the light of an affectionate comrade, the ties of
whose friendship adversity could not unbind. He mentioned Sophy in
the most respectful terms; spoke of Emilia with the most reverential
awe, as the object of his inviolable love and veneration; but
disclaimed all hope of ever more attracting her regard, and excused
himself from profiting by Godfrey's kind intention; declaring, with
a resolute air, that he had broken off all connection with mankind,
and that he impatiently longed for the hour of his dissolution,
which, if it should not soon arrive by the course of nature, he
was resolved to hasten with his own hands, rather than be exposed
to the contempt, and more intolerable pity, of a rascally world.
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