You need a defender now."
"I can defend myself, sir, from all attacks. I do not know that any one
can hurt me."
"God forbid that you should be hurt. Heaven forbid that even the winds of
Heaven should blow too harshly on my beloved. But my beloved is subject to
the malice of the world. My beloved is a flower all beautiful within and
without, but one whose stalk is weak, whose petals are too delicate, whose
soft bloom is evanescent. Let me be the strong staff against which my
beloved may blow in safety."
A vague idea came across Lizzie's mind that this glowing language had a
taste of the Bible about it, and that, therefore, it was in some degree
impersonal and intended to be pious. She did not relish piety at such a
crisis as this, and was therefore for a moment inclined to be cold; but
she liked being called a flower, and was not quite sure whether she
remembered her Bible rightly. The words which struck her ear as familiar
might have come from Juan and Haidee, and if so, nothing could be more
opportune.
"Do you expect me to give you an answer now, Mr. Emilius?"
"Yes, now." And he stood before her in calm dignity, with his arms crossed
upon his breast.
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