"And yet," continued the duke, "I cannot bear that Elvira should be deprived of her right, she would so become a crown; and with her inflexible sense of justice, and desire for improvement, she would do so much good that I should not feel justified in depriving the country of such a sovereign." "Thus," said Father Morris, smiling, "do we deceive ourselves; you are ambitious whilst you think that you are only just. Believe me, if you consult Elvira's real happiness, you will not impose upon her the troublesome duties of a crown: she will make a better wife than a queen; for her gentle nature is less fitted to command than to obey. Rosabella has more firmness." "I do not agree with you, Father," said Sir Ambrose; "in my opinion Elvira is infinitely better fitted to be a queen than Rosabella, for her passions are more under the control of reason." "That is to say," resumed the monk, sneeringly, "they have not yet been called into play." "What do you mean, Father?" began the duke. "Nothing that could give you offence, my Lord," returned the priest. "Disgusted myself with the world, I naturally thought the princess most likely to find happiness where I seek it myself--viz. in a life of quiet and retirement." "Enough," said the duke: "but where is Edmund? Let us seek him; no doubt he is with Elvira--poor things! we must spoil their billing and cooing." Edmund was with Elvira, and was passionately urging his suit, whilst she, engaged with her embroidery frame, listened with a half abstracted mind, and Emma duteously waited behind her chair. "You do not love me," said he, "or you could not answer with such provoking coldness." "Indeed I do, Edmund, but you are so unreasonable. I have already told you I have no idea of that passionate overwhelming love you appear to feel, it absolutely terrifies me, and I am sure it is not natural to my character.--This silk is too dark, Emma--and so, Edmund, if you feel you cannot be happy with such love as it is in my power to bestow, we had better determine at once to separate." "Good God!" exclaimed Edmund, striking his forehead violently with his clenched hand; "how coldly you talk of our separation!" "What can I do? I try every thing in my power to please you. Emma, give me my scissors. But since you will not hear reason--" "Reason!" cried Edmund fiercely, seizing her arm, and then letting it go again; "If you talk of reason you will drive me distracted!" "You quite terrify me with your violence, Edmund," said Elvira, rising, and preparing to quit the room. "Oh stay! stay, my adored Elvira!" exclaimed Lord Edmund, throwing himself upon his knees and catching her hand; "for Heaven's sake, stay! pardon my impetuosity--frown upon me, treat me with coldness, disdain, or contempt, but do not, do not leave me."