This man has
no right to see me, and I will not see him. I, that have been used to
wander as free as the inmates of the wood, or the winged inhabitants of
air, shall I be cooped up in a petty cage, have all my motions dictated,
and all my walks circumscribed? Indeed, indeed, I will not. Imogen can
never submit to so ignominious a restraint. She will sooner die."
"Why, my lovely maiden," replied the other, "will you think so harshly
of our lord? He does not deserve these uncandid constructions; he is all
gentleness and goodness. Suspend therefore your impatience for a moment.
By and by you may represent to him your uneasiness, and he will grant
you all the wishes of your heart. Till then, amiable girl, compose your
spirits, and give us cause to believe, that you place that confidence in
us, which for the world we would not deserve to forfeit."
During this conversation, they passed along a gallery, and, descending
by a flight of stairs, proceeded through one corner of a spacious garden
into the meadow. The mansion, as we have already said, stood upon a
rising ground, which was inclosed on every side by a circle of hills,
whose summits seemed to touch the clouds, and were covered with eternal
snow. Within this wider circumference was a second formed by an
impervious grove of oaks, which, though of no long standing, yet, having
been produced by magical art, had appeared from the first in full
maturity.
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