Nevertheless,
in the face of all this, this 'guardian' here, appointed by the
Orphans' Court to take charge of the heiress and her fortune,
undertakes, for his own ends, to compel the young lady to break her
engagement and marry his own son! To drive her to this measure, he
does not hesitate to use every species of cruelty. This night he was
to have forced her to this altar! But in the interval, to-day, I
chanced to visit her at the house where she was confined. Being
informed by her of her distressing situation, and having no time to
help her in any better way, I just changed clothes with her. She
escaped unsuspected in my dress. And those two heroes there,
mistaking me for her, forced me into a carriage and dragged me
hither to be married against my will. And instead of catching an
heiress, they caught a Tartar, that's all! And now, Herbert, let the
two poor wretches go hide their mortification, and do you take me
home, for I am immensely tired of doing the sentimental, making
speeches and piling up the agonies!"
While Cap was delivering this long oration, the two Le Noirs had
made several essays to interrupt and contradict her, but were
effectually prevented by the people, whose sympathies were all with
the speaker. Now, at Herbert Greyson's command, they released the
culprits, who, threatening loudly took their departure.
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