I think every young
man in these times--'
'Good heavens! What does this mean? What can you mean?' cried she,
fixing her eyes upon his, as if she would read his very soul. 'Why? what
reason?--Oh, tell me the truth and at once.'
His change of colour--his hand that trembled, and withdrew from
hers--the expression of his eyes as they met hers--revealed the truth to
her at once. As it flashed across her mind, she started back; her face
grew crimson, and, in the same instant, pale as death.
'Yes--you see, you feel the truth now,' said Lord Colambre. 'You see,
you feel, that I love you--passionately.'
'Oh, let me not hear it!' said she; 'I must not--ought not. Never,
till this moment, did such a thought cross my mind--I thought it
impossible--oh, make me think so still.'
'I will--it is impossible that we can ever be united.'
'I always thought so,' said she, taking breath with a deep sigh. 'Then
why not live as we have lived?'
'I cannot--I cannot answer for myself--I will not run the risk; and
therefore I must quit you--knowing, as I do, that there is an invincible
obstacle to our union, of what nature I cannot explain; I beg you not to
inquire.
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