But the sight of the
blood, and the sense of my condition, had (as he told me
afterwards), since the ungovernable rage of his passion was
somewhat appeas'd, now wrought so far on him that at all
risks, even of the worst consequences, he could not find in
his heart to leave me, and make off, which he might easily
have done. I still lay all descompos'd in bleeding ruin,
palpitating, speechless, unable to get off, and frightened,
and fluttering like a poor wounded partridge, and ready to
faint away again at the sense of what had befallen me. The
young gentleman was by me, kneeling, kissing my hand, and
with tears in his eyes beseeching me to forgive him, and
offering all the reparation in his power. It is certain
that could I, at the instant of regaining my senses, have
called out, or taken the bloodiest revenge, I would not have
stuck at it: the violation was attended too with such aggra-
vating circumstances, though he was ignorant of them, since
it was to my concern for the preservation of his life that I
owed my ruin.
"But how quick is the shift of passions from one extreme
to another! and how little are they acquainted with the human
heart who dispute it! I could not see this amiable criminal,
so suddenly the first object of my love, and as suddenly of
my just hate, on his knees, bedewing my hand with his tears,
without relenting.
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