Have I overrated her charms?" he added
to Rochester. "Is she not surpassingly beautiful?"
"In good sooth she is," replied the earl, gazing at her with admiration.
"By the nut-brown skin of Cleopatra!" cried Pillichody, "she beats Mrs.
Disbrowe, Sir Paul."
"I have never seen any one so lovely," said the knight, attempting to
press her hand to his lips.
"Release me, sir," cried Nizza, struggling to free herself.
"Not till I have told you how much I love you," returned the knight,
ardently.
"Love me!" she echoed, scornfully.
"Yes, love you," reiterated Parravicin. "It would be strange if I, who
profess myself so great an admirer of beauty, did otherwise. I am
passionately enamoured of you. If you will accompany me, fair Nizza, you
shall change your humble garb for the richest attire that gold can
purchase, shall dwell in a magnificent mansion, and have troops of
servants at your command. In short, my whole fortune, together with
myself, shall be placed at your disposal."
"Do not listen to him, Nizza," cried Leonard Holt, in a faint voice.
"Be assured I will not," she answered. "Your insulting proposal only
heightens the disgust I at first conceived for you," she added to the
knight: "I reject it with scorn, and command you to let me pass."
"Nay, if you put on these airs, sweetheart," replied Parravicin,
insolently, "I must alter my tone likewise.
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