"Nay, my dearest Lilian," replied the lord, taking her hand, and retaining it in spite of all her efforts to the contrary. "The very modesty that makes you shrink from my polite admiration invests you with a thousand new attractions."
"Doubtless," said Lilian, with as much scorn as her gentleness permitted, "politeness is the peculiar characteristic of your lordship; and yours is not less flattering than your admiration."
"My adorable girl! you transport me—you open up a new vista of hope to me in these words," said Clermistonlee, with something of real passion in his voice. "You must be aware there are few dames in Scotland that would not be flattered by my addresses; and that few men in Scotland, too, would dare to cross me. For thee alone my heart has been reserved. On this fair hand let me seal——"
"Nay, nay, my lord," urged Lilian, struggling to be free, and becoming excessively frightened.
"By every sparkle of those beautiful eyes, and the amiable vivacity that illumines them," continued his lordship, making a theatrical attempt to embrace her,—"suffer me to implore——"
"Help! help, for God's sake!" exclaimed Lilian. "My Lord, this insolence shall not pass unpunished."
"Death and the devil! Dost mock me, little one? Is it insolence thus to fall at your feet?—thus to pour forth my soul in rapture, where a king might be proud to kneel?"
"My Lord, you are the strangest mixture of pride, presumption, and absurdity in all broad Scotland," said Lilian, spiritedly. "I command you to unhand me, and to remember that there is a pit under the house where much hotter spirits than yours have learned to become cool and respectful."
He released her.
"The pretty moppet is quite in a passion. My dear Lilian, why so cruel? Am I indeed so hateful that you despise me?"