His respectful manner still
continues; it is the young lady who woos.
What is to be done? This state of things cannot last forever. Belle is
more and more impatient. Her adorer still respectful and sad.
After this long but necessary digression, I return to our place in the
front parlor, where the lovers are seated.
'I must leave you, oh, my angel--I must leave you! It is nearly time for
your father to be here.'
'I do not care if it is. I want you to stay.'
'As you will, but--'
'If you really loved me, you would not be so indifferent,' exclaims the
young lady, passionately.
Then follows a scene. The result is, that Belle vows she will endure the
suspense no longer. She will not ask her father's permission--she will
marry him--yes, she _will_ marry the Signor; and who dare prevent, who
dare thwart her wishes!
The Signor takes impressive leave. His little plot approaches a
_denouement_. He walks with an 'air noble' down the steps, and, mounting
his phaeton, he takes the ribbons from the servant in gay livery, and
the tandem team, after some well-trained prancing, dash forward.
Miss Belle is at the window, a delighted witness of the spectacle.
[The Signor has got up this fine turn-out, through aid of a friend who
is in the plot, especially to captivate her.]
'What a singular man!' she exclaims to herself. 'How heroic he seems,
controlling those wild creatures! Strange he should always be so
diffident when in my society.
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