Several days he passed in this state of jealous
excitement. On the evening of the fourth, his mental agony reached a
climax; unable to restrain his feelings, he determined to brave the
anger of his father, the sneers of the world, and the upbraidings of his
own conscience, declare his attachment to Elinor, and ask her to become
his wife.
He never for a moment suspected that the orphan girl could refuse the
magnificent proposal he was about to make, or contemplate with
indifference the rank and fortune he had in his power to bestow.
Mark Hurdlestone was not a man to waver or turn back when his mind was
once fixed upon an object. His will was like fate, inflexible in the
accomplishment of his purpose. He thought long and deeply on a subject,
and pondered over it for days and months, and even for years; but when
he said,--"I will do it," the hand of God alone could hinder him from
performing that which he had resolutely sworn to do.
Having finally resolved to make Elinor Wildegrave his wife (for in spite
of all the revolting traits in his character, he had never for a moment
entertained the idea of possessing her on less honorable terms, rightly
concluding that a man's mistress is always a more expensive appendage
than a man's wife,) he snatched up his hat, and walked with rapid
strides to the cottage.
He neither slackened his pace, nor paused to reflect on the step that he
was about to take, until he unclosed the little wicket-gate that divided
the cottage from the park.
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