Engelsk A

    “Where are you going, Griet?”
    “To the apothecary, sir. Mistress asked me. For the boys.”
    “Will you get me something as well?”
    “Of course, sir.” Suddenly the wind did not seem so bitter.
    “Wait, I’ll write it down.” He disappeared and I waited.
    After a moment he reappeared and tossed down a small leather pouch. “Give the apothecary
the paper inside and bring what he gives you back to me.” […]
    I had seen the apothecary himself only once, when he came to Franciscus’ birth feast a few
weeks before. A bald, slight man, he reminded me of a baby bird. He was surprised to see me.
Few people ventured out in such cold. He sat behind a table, a set of scales at his elbow, and
waited for me to speak. “I’ve come for my master and mistress,” I gasped at last when my throat
had warmed enough for me to speak. He looked blank and I added, “The Vermeers.”

“In vain I have struggled. It will not do. My feelings will not be repressed. You must allow me to tell
you how ardently I admire and love you.”
    Elizabeth’s astonishment was beyond expression. She stared, coloured, doubted, and was silent.
This he considered sufficient encouragement; and the avowal of all that he felt, and had long felt for
her, immediately followed. He spoke well; but there were feelings besides those of the heart to be
detailed; and he was not more eloquent on the subject of tenderness than of pride. His sense of her
inferiority – of its being a degradation – of the family obstacles which had always opposed to
inclination, were dwelt on with a warmth which seemed due to the consequence he was wounding,
but was very unlikely to recommend his suit.
    In spite of her deeply-rooted dislike, she could not be insensible to the compliment of such a
man’s affection, and though her intentions did not vary for an instant, she was at first sorry for the
pain he was to receive; till, roused to resentment by his subsequent language, she lost all
compassion in anger. She tried, however, to compose herself to answer him with patience, when he
should have done. He concluded with representing to her the strength of that attachment which, in
spite of all his endeavours, he had found impossible to conquer; and with expressing his hope that
it would now be rewarded by her acceptance of his hand. As he said this, she could easily see that
he had no doubt of a favourable answer.