'
'Generosity?' interrupted Miss Nugent; 'you totally misunderstand me;
there is no generosity, nothing for me to give up in the case. I did not
refuse Mr. Salisbury from generosity, but because I did not love him.
Perhaps my seeing this at first prevented me from thinking of him as
a lover; but, from whatever cause, I certainly never felt love for Mr.
Salisbury, nor any of that pity which is said to lead to love; perhaps,'
added she, smiling, 'because I was aware that he would be so much better
off after I refused him--so much happier with one suited to him in age,
talents, fortune, and love--"What bliss, did he but know his bliss,"
were HIS!'
'Did he but know his bliss,' repeated Lord Colambre; 'but is not he the
best judge of his own bliss?'
'And am not I the best judge of mine?' said Miss Nugent; 'I go no
farther.'
'You are; and I have no right to go farther. Yet, this much permit me
to say, my dear Grace, that it would give me sincere pleasure, that is,
real satisfaction, to see you happily--established.'
'Thank you, my dear Lord Colambre; but you spoke that like a man of
seventy at least, with the most solemn gravity of demeanour.
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