emily seized a pause of madame montoni's voice, to speak.'dear madam,' said she, 'but will not this serve to irritate the signor unnecessarily? will it not provoke the harsh treatment you dread?'
'i do not care,' replied madame montoni, 'it does not signify: iwill not submit to such usage.you would have me give up my settlements, too, i suppose!'
'no, madam, i do not exactly mean that.'
'what is it you do mean then?'
'you spoke of reproaching the signor,'--said emily, with hesitation.
'why, does he not deserve reproaches?' said her aunt.
'certainly he does; but will it be prudent in you, madam, to make them?'
'prudent!' exclaimed madame montoni.'is this a time to talk of prudence, when one is threatened with all sorts of violence?'
'it is to avoid that violence, that prudence is necessary.' said emily.
'of prudence!' continued madame montoni, without attending to her, 'of prudence towards a man, who does not scruple to break all the common ties of humanity in his conduct to me! and is it for me to consider prudence in my behaviour towards him! i am not so mean.'
'it is for your own sake, not for the signor's, madam,' said emily modestly, 'that you should consult prudence.your reproaches, however just, cannot punish him, but they may provoke him to further violence against you.'
'what! would you have me submit, then, to whatever he commands--would you have me kneel down at his feet, and thank him for his cruelties?
would you have me give up my settlements?'
'how much you mistake me, madam!' said emily, 'i am unequal to advise you on a point so important as the last: but you will pardon me for saying, that, if you consult your own peace, you will try to conciliate signor montoni, rather than to irritate him by reproaches.'
'conciliate indeed! i tell you, niece, it is utterly impossible; idisdain to attempt it.'