"
"Good Heaven! And this is my doing. Oh, Algernon. What have you not lost
on my account!"
"We will not think of that now, love," said Algernon, growing calmer now
the worst had been told; "I came to pour into your faithful heart all my
sorrows, and to tell you my plans for the future."
"Algernon," said Elinor, gravely, after remaining for some time in deep
thought, "your attachment to me has overwhelmed you with misfortunes.
Comply with your father's wishes--resign your engagement to me, and your
brother will, in all probability, restore to you the property you have
lost."
"And would you wish me to be under obligations to him? Is not this his
work? Elinor, I would rather enlist as a common soldier, than live in
affluence, and he my benefactor. But I am poor now, and my love may have
become valueless in your eyes," and he turned his fine eyes, moist with
tears, reproachfully on his beautiful mistress.
"I spoke not for myself," said Elinor, gently. "Is not the love that has
sacrificed a fortune for my sake beyond all price? But the thought of
ruining the man I love overwhelms me with despair."
"Patience, my dear girl--time will remedy the evil. I am going to work
hard to win a fortune. In a few years I shall return from India, a rich
man."
"India!"
"It is the only spot on the earth where fortunes can be made in a few
years.
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