"You must keep our secret from that honest, stolid, good uncle of yours," said Lord Chandos, "or he will think himself bound to call and tell Dr. Hervey. You promise me, then, Leone, my love, to do what I ask, and to be my own beloved wife, when the three weeks are over?"
"Yes, I promise, Lance," she replied.
Her voice was grave and sweet, her beautiful face had on it the light of a beautiful and noble love.
"Then kiss me, as the children say, of your own accord, and let that kiss be our betrothal."
She raised her lips to his for the first time and kissed him.
"That is our betrothal," he said; "now nothing can part us. Leone, I waited for your promise to give you this."
He opened a small jewel-case, and took from it a diamond ring.
"This is what ladies call an engagement-ring," he said; "let me put it on your finger."
She shrank back.
"Lance," she said, "do you remember the words of the song,