'Kindly!' she exclaimed, while her blooming prettiness became absolute beauty, as her fine eyes beamed, and her face filled with ardour, and with an expression of gratitude and joy; 'ah how can you speak so coldly—kindly?—say gratefully, lovingly, prayerfully. You will ever have all the gratitude—the esteem, my heart can feel!'
'Thanks, dear Miss Everingham,' I replied, kissing her hand, while my voice and lips trembled; 'esteem is the first element of love. Without it no passion can endure.'
She grew pale—looked down, and trembled.
'And you go?—'
'Yes.'
'But, when?' she asked, lifting her eyes sadly to mine.
'To-morrow.'
'And you return!—'
'Never.'
'Never?' she reiterated.