have given the particulars of what had passed between herself and me:
if she had, my aunt would not have repeated many of the same
sentiments, as you will find she did, that had been still more
strongly urged, without effect by her venerable sister.

She said it would break the heart of my father to have it imagined
that he had not a power over his own child; and that, as he thought,
for my own good: a child too, whom they had always doated upon!--
Dearest, dearest Miss, concluded she, clasping her fingers, with the
most condescending earnestness, let me beg of you, for my sake, for
your own sake, for a hundred sakes, to get over this averseness, to
give up your prejudices, and make every one happy and easy once more.
--I would kneel to you, my dearest Niece--nay, I will kneel to you!--

And down she dropt, and I with her, kneeling to her, and beseeching
her not to kneel; clasping my arms about her, and bathing her worthy
bosom with my tears.

O rise! rise! my beloved Aunt, said I: you cut me to the heart with
this condescending goodness.

Say then, my dearest Niece, say then, that you will oblige all your
friends!--If you love us, I beseech you do--

How can I perform what I can sooner choose to die than to perform!--

Say then, my dear, that you will consider of it. Say you will but
reason with yourself. Give us but hopes. Don't let me entreat, and
thus entreat, in vain--[for still she kneeled, and I by her].