“‘Have I ever offended you?’ she said, tenderly. ‘No, no, you have been too good and kind; forgive me if I have.’
“‘No, Leoline, you have not, you could not offend me. But I have a task, a severe task to perform, and, though it pains me, it must be done. Listen, fair Leoline, listen: once on a time,’ Edward began, ‘there lived among these hills and lakes a certain old lord who had two sons, and an orphan like thyself also dwelt at the cattle with them. The eldest son—but no matter, let us not waste words on him. The younger son, then, dearly loved the orphan girl, not for her immense wealth, but for herself alone, and he prayed that his elder brother would urge his suit, for he much feared a refusal. Leoline, my task is done; tell me, tell me truly, dost thou love my brother?’
“Gazing down upon the fair one’s drooping eyes he saw that she trembled violently, and her cheek was suffused with blushes.
“‘Say,’ continued Edward, mastering his own feelings, ‘say, Leoline. Tell me, are not they my brother’s flowers you now wear in your breast and hair?’
“Leoline blushed, as she said—
“‘Do not deem me ungrateful because I wear not yours also, but——’
“‘Hush!’ said Ned Warbeck. ‘I am but as thy friend; is not my brother more to thee than simply friend? He is young, brave, and handsome; Heaven grant that he may deserve thee if thou givest him so rich a gift as thy affections.’
“Leoline spoke not, but tear-drops trickled down her cheeks.
“‘Wilt thou be his bride then, Leoline? Tell me truly.’
“‘Yes; and, Edward, I will be thy sister!’