Without more words, he led the way up a contiguous staircase, followed by Hildebrand. On reaching the summit, he paused before a neighbouring door, leading to Master Gilbert’s chamber, which, without tarrying to solicit admittance, he immediately threw open.
As the door was thus thrown back, Hildebrand’s glance fell, not on the hard countenance of the lawyer, but on the faces of Sir Edgar and Evaline. It required but that one glance, brief as it was, to assure him that he was forgiven—that the height of earthly fruition was still his; and, with a heart overflowing with joy, he darted into the chamber, and caught Evaline in his arms.
“Mine!—my own true love!” he exclaimed, as he pressed the blushing girl to his bosom.
“And with my free consent,” smiled Sir Edgar, in broken accents.
Hildebrand could not speak for a moment.
“When?” he said, at length.
“To-morrow, an’ it so like thee,” answered Sir Edgar.
Hildebrand, still holding Evaline to his bosom, bent down to her ear.
“Shall it be so, sweet Evaline?” he whispered.