"
Rivers started at the inquiry in astonishment. He had never fancied
that, in such matters, Munro had been so observant, and for a few
moments gave no reply. He evidently winced beneath the inquiry; but he
soon recovered himself, however--for, though at times exhibiting the
passions of a demoniac, he was too much of a proficient not to be able,
in the end, to command the coolness of the villain.
"I had thought to have said nothing on this subject, Munro, but there
are few things which escape your observation. In replying to you on this
point, you will now have all the mystery explained of my rancorous
pursuit of this boy. That girl--then a mere girl--refused me, as perhaps
you know; and when, heated with wine and irritated with rejection, I
pressed the point rather too warmly, she treated me with contempt and
withdrew from the apartment. This youth is the favored, the successful
rival. Look upon this picture, Walter--now, while the moon streams
through the branches upon it--and wonder not that it maddened, and still
maddens me, to think that, for his smooth face and aristocratic airs of
superiority, I was to be sacrificed and despised.
Pages:
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524
525
526
527
528
529
530
531
532
533
534
535
536
537
538
539
540
541