This doubled my concern; for I now apprehended I should be much closer
watched than before.
Well, said I, since I have, by this strange accident, discovered my hard
destiny; let me read over again that fearful letter of yours, that I may
get it by heart, and with it feed my distress, and make calamity familiar
to me. Then, said she, let me read yours again. I gave her mine, and
she lent me hers: and so I took a copy of it, with her leave; because, as
I said I would, by it, prepare myself for the worst. And when I had
done, I pinned it on the head of the couch: This, said I, is the use I
shall make of this wretched copy of your letter; and here you shall
always find it wet with my tears.
She said she would go down to order supper; and insisted upon my company
to it. I would have excused myself; but she began to put on a commanding
air, that I durst not oppose. And when I went down, she took me by the
hand, and presented me to the most hideous monster I ever saw in my life.
Here, Monsieur Colbrand, said she, here is your pretty ward and mine; let
us try to make her time with us easy. He bowed, and put on his foreign
grimaces, and seemed to bless himself; and, in broken English, told me, I
was happy in de affections of de finest gentleman in de varld!--I was
quite frightened, and ready to drop down; and I will describe him to you,
my dear father and mother, if now you will ever see this: and you shall
judge if I had not reason, especially not knowing he was to be there, and
being apprised, as I was, of his hated employment, to watch me closer.
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