'I must certainly mistake you, sir,' said Emily; 'my answers on the
subject have been uniform; it is unworthy of you to accuse me of
caprice. If you have condescended to be my agent, it is an honour I
did not solicit. I myself have constantly assured Count Morano, and you
also, sir, that I never can accept the honour he offers me, and I now
repeat the declaration.' The Count looked with an air of surprise and enquiry at Montoni, whose
countenance also was marked with surprise, but it was surprise mingled
with indignation. 'Here is confidence, as well as caprice!' said the latter. 'Will you
deny your own words, Madam?' 'Such a question is unworthy of an answer, sir;' said Emily blushing;
'you will recollect yourself, and be sorry that you have asked it.'
'Speak to the point,' rejoined Montoni, in a voice of increasing
vehemence. 'Will you deny your own words; will you deny, that you
acknowledged, only a few hours ago, that it was too late to recede from
your engagements, and that you accepted the Count's hand?' '
I will deny all this, for no words of mine ever imported it.'
'Astonishing! Will you deny what you wrote to Mons. Quesnel, your uncle?
if you do, your own hand will bear testimony against you. What have you
now to say?' continued Montoni, observing the silence and confusion of
Emily. 'I now perceive, sir, that you are under a very great error, and that I
have been equally mistaken.' 'No more duplicity, I entreat; be open and candid, if it be possible.' 'I have always been so, sir; and can claim no merit in such conduct, for
I have had nothing to conceal.' 'How is this, Signor?' cried Morano, with trembling emotion. 'Suspend your judgment, Count,' replied Montoni, 'the wiles of a female
heart are unsearchable. Now, Madame, your EXPLANATION.' 'Excuse me, sir, if I withhold my explanation till you appear willing
to give me your confidence; assertion as present can only subject me to
insult.' 'Your explanation, I entreat you!' said Morano.
'Well, well,' rejoined Montoni, 'I give you my confidence; let us hear
this explanation.' 'Let me lead to it then, by asking a question.' 'As many as you please,' said Montoni, contemptuously. 'What, then, was the subject of your letter to Mons. Quesnel?' 'The same that was the subject of your note to him, certainly. You did
well to stipulate for my confidence before you demanded that question.'