grew every minute more emboldened, and more lost to all sense of shame; and Dumont's unfortunately mentioning my name with such tenderness, and such a resolution not to forsake me, enraged her to madness, and turned her into a perfect fury. She told him that his pretence to virtue and faithfulness to his friend could not impose on her, for she saw the consideration which stuck deepest with him was his love of Isabelle. 'But,' continued she, 'I swear by all that's sacred, the day you marry her shall be her last; for with my own hands I will destroy her, although the destruction of mankind was to be the consequence of her death. Do you imagine I speak in a passion what I will not execute, for my resolution that Isabelle shall never live with you as your wife is as strong and as much fixed as the torments I now feel, and have felt, ever since I first knew you. Had not I seen your affection placed on another, you had never known my love; for, till that misery was added to the rest, I struggled with my passion, and was resolved to conceal it for ever within my own bosom; but now you know it; and I would advise you to dread the rage of a woman whose passions have got so much the better of her as to enable her to break through all the strongest ties imaginable, and sacrifice everything that is most dear to her to the impossibility she finds of resisting her inclinations. Consider with yourself, whether or no you can bear to be the cause of Isabelle's death; for my resolution is unalterably fixed, and it is not in the power of all mankind to divert my purpose.' As soon as she had spoke these words, she got up, and walked hastily from him.
"But imagine the horrible situation she left the Chevalier in. Ten thousand various thoughts at once possessed him; confusion reigned within his breast ; and, whichever way he turned himself, the dismal prospect almost distracted him. Good God!
