"I can't tell you all she said. I wouldn't if I could," said Blair, the color coming to his face, his eyes glowing with a rapt look. "She gave me no direct answer. I—I have to wait, Austin. Oh, how can I wait! The hours will seem years. Don't laugh, or I shall get up and kill you," he broke off blushing, but half in earnest. "Austin, if ever a man loved with all his heart, and mind, and body, and soul, I love her!"
"Yes," said Austin, slowly, almost gravely, "I think you do."
There was a moment's silence.
"And you propose—what do you propose?" he said, quietly; "do you mean to marry her?"
Blair sprung to his feet and his face turned white.
"Tut, tut, man," remarked Austin Ambrose, with perfect coolness, "you don't always marry them!"
Lord Blair sank back into his chair with a look of remorse and shame that was of more credit to him than any other expression could have been.
"You hit me fairly, Austin," he said, almost hoarsely. "But—but—all that has gone forever, I hope! I—I turn over a new leaf from to-day, please Heaven! Do I mean to marry her? Yes, yes! If she will have me! If she will stoop, the angel, to pick me out of the mud with her pure white hand, I mean to go to the earl and say—'My lord, this is my future wife!'" and he sprung up and began to pace the floor.