She put a little bit to her mouth, but laid it down in her plate again:
I cannot eat, said she; I cannot swallow, I'm sure. It will certainly
choak me. He had forbid his menservants to come in, that they might not
behold the scene he expected; and rose from table himself, and filled
a glass of wine, her woman offering, and her kinsman rising, to do it.
Mean-time, his seat between us being vacant, she turned to me: How now,
confidence, said she, darest thou sit next me? Why dost thou not rise,
and take the glass from thy property?
Sit still, my dear, said he; I'll help you both. But I arose; for I was
afraid of a good cuff; and said, Pray, sir, let me help my lady. So you
shall, replied he, when she's in a humour to receive it as she ought.
Sister, said he, with a glass in his hand, pray drink; you'll perhaps
eat a little bit of something then. Is this to insult me? said she.--No,
really, returned he: but to incite you to eat; for you'll be sick for
want of it. She took the glass, and said, God forgive you, wicked wretch, for your
usage of me this day!--This is a little as it used to be!--I once had
your love;--and now it is changed; and for whom? that vexes me! And wept
so, she was forced to set down the glass. You don't do well, said he.
You neither treat me like your brother nor
a gentleman; and if you would suffer me, I would love you as well as
ever.--But for a woman of sense and understanding, and a fine-bred
woman, as I once thought my sister, you act quite a childish part. Come,
added he, and held the glass to her lips, let your brother, that you
once loved, prevail on you to drink this glass of wine.--She then drank
it. He kissed her, and said, Oh! how passion deforms the noblest minds!
You have lost a good deal of that loveliness that used to adorn my
sister. And let me persuade you to compose yourself, and be my sister
again!--For Lady Davers is, indeed, a fine woman; and has a presence as
majestic for a lady, as her dear brother has for a gentleman.
He then sat down between us again, and said, when the second course came
in, Let Abraham come in and wait. I touched his toe again; but he minded
it not; and I saw he was right; for her ladyship began to recollect
herself, and did not behave half so ill before the servants, as she had
done; and helped herself with some little freedom; but she could not
forbear a strong sigh and a sob now and then. She called for a glass
of the same wine she had drank before. Said he, Shall I help you again,
Lady Davers?--and rose, at the same time, and went to the sideboard,
and filled her a glass. Indeed, said she, I love to be soothed by my
brother!--Your health, sir!