Louisa May Alcott

Pauline's Passion and Punishment Louisa May Alcott

Book Excerpt: ...mar our future as we will. I have chosen my lot. Recall all it may cost you to share it and be sure the price is not too high a one. Remember I am poor, you the possessor of one princely fortune, the sole heir to another.""The knowledge of this burdened me before; now I glory in it because I have the more for you.""Remember, I am older than yourself, and may early lose the beauty you love so well, leaving an old wife to burden your youth.""What are a few years to me? Women like you grow lovelier with age, and you shall have a strong young husband to lean on all your life.""Remember, I am not of your faith, and the priests will shut me out from your heaven.""Let them prate as they will. Where you go I will go; Santa Paula shall be my madonna!""Remember, I am a deserted woman, and in the world we are going to my name may become the sport of that man's cruel tongue. Could you bear that patiently; and curb your fiery pride if I desired it?""Anything for you...