Do you remember, love?"
Ellinor reddened and kept her head still more intently bent over a sketch
she was making.
"Yes; I recollect."
"I have been thinking about it. I still think she ought to tell her
lover that such disgrace hung over him--I mean, over the family with whom
he was going to connect himself. Of course, the only effect would be to
make him stand by her still more for her frankness."
"Oh! but, Ralph, it might perhaps be something she ought not to tell,
whatever came of her silence."
"Of course there might be all sorts of cases. Unless I knew more I could
not pretend to judge."
This was said rather more coolly. It had the desired effect. Ellinor
laid down her brush, and covered her face with her hand. After a pause,
she turned towards him and said:
"I will tell you this; and more you must not ask me. I know you are as
safe as can be. I am the girl, you are the lover, and possible shame
hangs over my father, if something--oh, so dreadful" (here she blanched),
"but not so very much his fault, is ever found out."
Though this was nothing more than he expected, though Ralph thought that
he was aware what the dreadful something might be, yet, when it was
acknowledged in words, his heart contracted, and for a moment he forgot
the intent, wistful, beautiful face, creeping close to his to read his
expression aright.
Pages:
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136