That HE should love Eunice! It was a
profanation to her, an outrage to me. Yet the assurance with which
he spoke! COULD she love this conceited, ridiculous, repulsive
fellow, after all? I almost gasped for breath, as I clinched the
prickly boughs of the cedars in my hands, and set my teeth, waiting
to hear her answer.
"`I will not hear such language! Take me back to the shore!' she
said, in very short, decided tones.
"`Oh, Eunice,' he groaned, (and now, I think he was perfectly
sober,) `don't you love me, indeed? _I_ love you,--from my heart
I do: yes, I love you. Tell me how you feel towards me.'
"`Abel,' said she, earnestly, `I feel towards you only as a friend;
and if you wish me to retain a friendly interest in you, you must
never again talk in this manner. I do not love you, and I never
shall. Let me go back to the house.'
"His head dropped upon his breast, but he rowed back to the shore,
drew the bow upon the rocks, and assisted her to land. Then,
sitting down, he groaned forth--
"`Oh, Eunice, you have broken my heart!' and putting his big hands
to his face, began to cry.
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