 has been transferred,
threatens hard, nor do I know how to prevent the course of justice, except by
paying the money myself, which, as I have been at some expences lately, previous
to my intended marriage, is not so easy to be done. And then my steward talks of
driving for the rent: it is certain he knows his duty; for I never trouble
myself with affairs of that nature. Yet still I could wish to serve you, and
even to have you and your daughter present at my marriage, which is shortly to
be solemnized with Miss Wilmot; it is even the request of my charming Arabella
herself, whom I hope you will not refuse.«
    »Mr. Thornhill,« replied I, »hear me once for all: as to your marriage with
any but my daughter, that I never will consent to; and though your friendship
could raise me to a throne, or your resentment sink me to the grave, yet would I
despise both. Thou hast once wofully, irreparably, deceived me. I reposed my
heart upon thine honour, and have found its baseness. Never more, therefore,
expect friendship from me. Go, and possess what fortune has given thee, beauty,
riches, health, and pleasure. Go, and leave me to want, infamy, disease, and
sorrow. Yet humbled as I am, shall my heart still vindicate its dignity, and
though thou hast my forgiveness, thou shalt ever have my contempt.«
    »If so,« returned he, »depend upon it you shall feel the effects of this
insolence, and we shall shortly see which is the fittest object of scorn, you or
me.« - Upon which he departed abruptly.
    My wife and son, who were present at this interview, seemed terrified with
the apprehension. My daughters also, finding that he was gone, came out to be
informed of the result of our conference, which, when known, alarmed them not
less than the rest. But as to myself, I disregarded the utmost stretch of his
malevolence: he had already struck the blow, and now I stood prepared to repel
every new effort. Like one of those instruments used in the art of war, which,
however thrown, still presents a point to receive the enemy.
    We soon, however, found that he had not threatened in vain; for the very
next morning his steward came to demand my annual rent, which, by the train of
accidents already related, I was unable to pay. The consequence of my incapacity
was his driving my cattle
