He continued:
"Do not consider me selfish--at least do not condemn me for my selfishness.
If you have ever loved, you know what almost omnipotent power that passion
has over the mind and heart. For long years I have loved you in secret,
with a burning, consuming intensity of feeling, which defies all efforts to
describe. I cannot tell you all the joy or agony love has awakened in my
bosom; I can only say, that you have it now in your power to render me
supremely happy, or abjectly miserable. If you will cast yourself on my
love, I will save you from your plotting foe, and devote my life to your
service, and to make you happy. If I had any other means of saving you, I
would not propose this one, but I have not. Just now I have not time to
explain all that I would like to make clear, and must ask you, for the
present, to take my word; for at any moment, even now, your malignant foe
may come upon us, and then all is lost. Can you accept the alternative?"
"I--I thank you, but I cannot."
"You say, in view of all the facts, this is your unalterable decision, from
which I may not hope to persuade you?"
"It is. For all or any kind intentions and wishes you may have had or still
entertain for me, please accept my sincere thanks; but do not attempt to
change my purpose, for it is fixed, and I would save us both the pain of
repeating it.
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