My thoughts turn to you as the
heliotrope to the sun. Where you are not, all is darkness for me. If
what I have dared to do is a crime, I must make the best of it, and
profit by it as much as I can--for you would never forgive nor overlook
it, whatever you may say now. Here at least I have you--I hold you. I
can surround you with my love and care, and strive to melt the ice of
your coldness by the heat of my passion. Your eyes must behold me--your
ears must listen to my voice. I shall exert an influence over you, if
only by the alarm and detestation I am so unfortunate as to inspire in
your gentle breast; the sound of my footsteps in your antechamber will
make you start and tremble. And then, besides all that, this captivity
separates you effectually from the miserable fellow you fancy that you
love--and whom I abhor; because he has dared to turn your heart away
from me. I can at least enjoy this small satisfaction, of keeping you
from him; and I will not let you go free to return to him--you may be
perfectly sure of that, my fair lady!"
"And how long do you intend to keep me captive?--not like a Christian
gentleman, but like a lawless corsair."
"Until you have learned to love me--or at least to say that you have,
which amounts to the same thing.
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