Merry Mount (Volume 1-2); A Romance of the Massachusetts Colony (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1849. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... "I know not who or whence you are," she said at last, " nor your motives, in thus taking advantage of my lonely situation to insult one who hath never injured you. It is base, it is unmanly, it is unworthy of an Englishman, of whatsoever creed or party he may be." "Nay, lady," answered the other- calmly, "I meant not thus to move your indignation. But I will take advantage of our present situation, not to inflict injuries or insults, but to render you a service. I implore you to answer my question. Believe the word of one who wishes well to both of ye, when he swears that he hath no evil motive in asking a question, rude, perhaps, and sudden, but as honest as it is plain. Tell me, do you love Henry Maudsley?" Esther felt extreme wonder that the extraordinary familiarity of the stranger did not, for some unaccountable reason, excite the indignation in her bosom, wbich-sheufek DEGREEShouldhave been aroused. The voice and manner of her companion seemed to divest his language of much of its intrinsic boldness. Something, too, of the indefinite impression that her companion possessed some weird influence over her destiny, and that his purposes were kindly, though mysterious, still lingered in her fancy, and was not without its effects. "I wish well to Henry Maudsley," she replied, wondering, as she did so, at her docility. "Do you love Henry Maudsley 1" replied her companion, with even more excitement of manner. "I implore you for the last time, nay, I command you, to answer that question. Your own fate, his own, and that of others whom you dream not of, may be at this moment trembling upon your answer. An answer I will have, ere either of us leaves this labyrinth. Fate hath conducted me hither to read a riddle, and I swear to you that the riddle shall now be solved." "Is ...