Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... 28 "Death! and confusion! Have I liv'd to this? Thus to be treated with unmanly insolence! To be the sport of a loose ruffian's tongue! Thus to be us'd! Thus! like the vilest creature, That ever was a slave to vice and infamy." After this all further efforts to "teach her steps to know the paths of peace" only tend to produce what Horatio hoped to avoid--to waken the tempestuous passions. "Dishonor blast thee, base, unmanner'd slave! That dar'st forget my birth, and sacred sex, And shock me with the rude unhallow'd sound." Even the last means employed by Horatio to subdue Calista's obstinacy fails. He produces the fatal letter that shall divulge her shame. "What mean'st thou by that paper? What contrivance Hast thou been forging to deceive my father? Oh for a sword, To urge my vengeance on the villain's hand That forg'd the scrowl." Thereupon she tears the paper to pieces. Horatio's bewilderment can find vent only in the one interjection--"Confusion!" Calista's last words are by no means ambiguous, nor apt to encourage Horatio's further interference in a lady's private affairs. "Henceforth, thou officious fool, Meddle no more; nor dare, ev'n on thy life, To breathe an accent that may touch my virtue; I am myself the guardian of my honor, And wo'not bear so insolent a monitor." At this moment Altamont enters. In terms already sufficiently familiar to us, he greets his "charming bride, joy of his heart, and pleasure of his eyes." Amazed at seeing Calista in tears, and Horatio in confusion, he asks her who has done her wrong. "That his swift sword may find out the offender, And do her ample justice." And, on hearing that Horatio is the cause of her distress, exclaims--"My friend! Could he do this! He, who was half myself? One faith has ever...