When he saw that the bottom of his purse would soon be reached, he sought an opportunity, declared himself in love, and asked the hand of Miss Walton.  The General to whom he had always appeared a “fine fellow,” would leave his daughter to decide the matter.  Thus referred, he lost no time in making Ellen the recipient of his “tale of love.”  All his theatrical powers were called in action; his eloquence commanded; but the impressions made were far different from those intended.  Though the outward semblance was complete, Ellen saw that the passion was feigned, and a still deeper dislike took possession of her feelings.  But with gentle delicacy, she told him his passion was not returned.

“Then,” said he, “let me win your love.  I am sure your heart will yield when you are convinced of the depth of the devotedness of my affection.”

“Do not flatter yourself with a vain hope.  I feel that I shall never be able to love you; and it is in kindness that I tell you so at once.”

“Ah, adorable, angelic being!  One so kind, so considerate, so good, is too pure, too near akin to heaven, for man to possess.  I only ask to be your friend.”

“As such, you shall ever be welcome.”

“Thanks! thanks!  May I but prove worthy of your friendship!”

Thus terminated his first attempt to win Ellen.  His fall from the lover to a friend was the first step in a plot already matured.  As a friend, he could ever have access to the heiress, and be received more familiarly than in any other capacity, save as an acknowledged lover.  This familiarity would give him the opportunity of ingratiating himself into her affections, of which, finally, he felt certain.

He became a constant and frequent visitor at the mansion of the Waltons, and was ever received with cordiality.  He let no opportunity pass unimproved to carry out his design.  Goodness, benevolence, charity, were counterfeited most adroitly, until even Ellen began to think she had done him injustice by her suspicions.  This is a favorable moment for a lover.  Prove that you have been dealt with unjustly, and a woman’s heart is opened by sympathy to let you in.  It was well for Ellen that her heart was already occupied, or this might possibly have been her fate.  As it was, she became, insensibly and unintentionally, kind to Durant.  He did not fail to notice the change, and his heart exulted in the prospect of complete success.

When he thought the proper time had arrived, he prepared the way, and again declared himself a lover, with more eloquence than before.  Again his suit was gently declined; but this time he persevered until his importunities became unbearable, and with them, all Ellen’s old prejudices returned, strengthened ten-fold.  If he could and would force himself for weeks and months upon an unwilling victim of his importunities, and attempt by such means to force her to accept his hand, he was depraved enough for any other wickedness.  So she plainly told him she could not and would not submit longer to his unreasonable conduct; that he must consider himself as finally, fully and unrecallably dismissed.