Affection may certainly exist independent of esteem; nay, the
same object may be lovely in one respect, and detestable in
another -- The mind has a surprising faculty of accommodating, and
even attaching itself, in such a manner, by dint of use, to
things that are in their own nature disagreeable, and even
pernicious, that it cannot bear to be delivered from them without
reluctance and regret. Baynard was so absorbed in his delirium,
that he did not perceive me when I entered, and desired one of
the women to conduct the aunt into her own chamber. -- At the same
time I begged the tutor to withdraw the boy, who stood gaping in
a corner, very little affected with the distress of the scene. --
These steps being taken, I waited till the first violence of my
friend's transport was abated, then disengaged him gently from
the melancholy object, and led him by the hand into another
apartment; though he struggled so hard, that I was obliged to
have recourse to the assistance of his valet de chambre -- In a few
minutes, however, he recollected himself, and folding me in his
arms, 'This (cried he), is a friendly office, indeed! -- I know not
how you came hither; but, I think, Heaven sent you to prevent my
going distracted -- O Matthew! I have lost my dear Harriet! -- my
poor, gentle, tender creature, that loved me with such warmth and
purity of affection -- my constant companion of twenty years! She's
gone -- she's gone for ever! -- Heaven and earth! where is she? --
Death shall not part us!'
So saying, he started up, and could hardly be with-held from
returning to the scene we had quitted -- You will perceive it would
have been very absurd for me to argue with a man that talked so
madly.
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