montoni paused; and emily remained silent and expecting; for she knew him too well, to believe he would condescend to such flattery, unless he thought it would promote his own interest; and, though he had forborne to name vanity among the foibles of women, it was evident, that he considered it to be a predominant one, since he designed to sacrifice to hers the character and understanding of her whole sex.
'judging as i do,' resumed montoni, 'i cannot believe you will oppose, where you know you cannot conquer, or, indeed, that you would wish to conquer, or be avaricious of any property, when you have not justice on your side.i think it proper, however, to acquaint you with the native.if you have a just opinion of the subject in question, you shall be allowed a safe conveyance to france, within a short period; but, if you are so unhappy as to be misled by the late assertion of the signora, you shall remain my prisoner, till you are convinced of your error.'
emily calmly said, 'i am not so ignorant, signor, of the laws on this subject, as to be misled by the assertion of any person.the law, in the present instance, gives me the estates in question, and my own hand shall never betray my right.'
'i have been mistaken in my opinion of you, it appears,' rejoined montoni, sternly.'you speak boldly, and presumptuously, upon a subject, which you do not understand.for once, i am willing to pardon the conceit of ignorance; the weakness of your sex, too, from which, it seems, you are not exempt, claims some allowance; but, if you persist in this strain--you have every thing to fear from my justice.'