And Sybil dropped her arm and her voice at the same instant, and stood dumb and motionless.
And now, at length, Lyon Berners spoke again.
“Sybil! you have uttered words that nothing on the part of that poor lady should have provoked from you—words that I fear may never be forgotten or forgiven! But—I know that she has a gentle and easy nature. When you are cooler and more rational, I wish you to go to her and be reconciled with her.”
“With her! I am a Berners!” answered Sybil, haughtily.
“But you bitterly wrong that lady in your thoughts!”
“Bah! I caught her in your arms! on your breast! her lips clinging to yours!”
“The first and last kiss! I swear it by all my hopes of Heaven, Sybil—a brother’s kiss!”
Sybil made a gesture of scorn and disgust.
“If I were not past laughing, I should have to laugh now,” she said.
“And you will not believe this?”