One pang, exults, while mine is breaking.

Pour me the poison; fear not thou!

Thou canst not murder more than now;

I’ve lived to curse my natal day,

And love, that thus can lingering slay!

She stopped with a sob, and flung her arms about Sir Harold’s neck, a passion of tears raining from her eyes.

“Poor little Theresa,” he said, tenderly; “but how foolish you are to give way to such fears. Am I not near you—shall I not be ever near to protect you?”

With a long, fluttering sigh, she nestled her head upon his shoulder and was content.

CHAPTER XVIII.

SIR HAROLD’S WALK TO FARNWELL.