Britomarte remained pale and breathless where Erminie had left her.
There was a sound of meeting, and of sobbing, and of cheering words, and then the brother and sister entered the library.
Britomarte arose and gave her hand to Justin. He pressed it in silence. They could not trust themselves to speak just then.
“How long—can you stay with us, my brother?” said Erminie, striving hard to control her emotion and to speak with composure.
“I may remain with you until five o’clock, dear. My first lieutenant will march my company to the boat, and I have leave to join it there.”
“Thank Heaven for so much grace!” replied Erminie, as she turned and left the room.
She went out from a two-fold motive—to order a dainty dinner prepared, so that they all might partake of one more meal together, and also to give her brother the opportunity of making one more last appeal to his obdurate love.
When they were left alone together, Justin and Britomarte remained for a few moments silent and motionless. Both were too full of suppressed emotion to trust themselves to move or speak.
Justin was the first to master himself. When he had done so, he approached Britomarte, stood before her a moment, and then taking her hand, said, in a tone thrilled with passion:
“I promised you never again to speak of the subject nearest my heart.”