"Ha, was it so?" he said, with a peculiar smile; "then I must pardon him! But did she tell him of her love?"
"Never!"
"Who was this village maiden that supplanted her?"
"She was no lowly maid! but noble as herself."
"He was full ambitious! Did she love him in return?"
"Nay, not then," said he, hesitatingly.
"Edwin, you are giving my very history! You hang your head! What, is it I of whom you speak?" he exclaimed, with animated interest.
"I gave no name."
"Nay," he said, blushing, "I will not think, though the tale tallies in some parts so well with my own, that a noble maiden e'er could have regarded me with sentiments beneath her station. Go on."
"Time went on, and her love grew. Unseen, unknown, she exerted her influence, and had him (for he took to the seas) elevated from rank to rank, though his own prowess won for him each grade ere he rose to it; at length he became a captain. Many years had elapsed in the interval, and she had not seen him; but, every few months, rumour trumpeted to her his gallant deeds, and in her secret heart she rejoiced with all the pride of love."