It is surely
one which I have a right to ask.' Then she stood waiting for his
reply, keeping herself at some little distance from him as though
she were afraid that he would fly upon her. And indeed there
seemed to be cause for such fear from frequent gestures of his
hands. 'Why do you not answer me? Has there been some reason for
such expectations?'
'Yes;--there has.'
'There has!'
'I thought of it,--not knowing myself before I had seen you. You
shall know it all if you will only say that you love me.'
'I should like to know it first.'
'You do know it all;--almost. I have told you that she knows what I
said to you at Killancodlem. Is not that enough?'
'And she approves!'
'What has it to do with her? Lady Mabel is my friend, but not my
guardian.'
'Has she a right to expect that she should be your wife?'
'No;--certainly not. Why should you ask all this? Do you love me?
Come, Isabel; say that you love me. Will you call me vain if I say
that I almost think you do. You cannot doubt my love;--not now.'
'No;--not now.
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