"Oh, Ellen, hear me, it is false I vow by——"
"Perjure not yourself, my lord, is there not one—Juana?"
"Heavens! and how came this scandal to your ears? Indeed, indeed I have transgressed—but I have repented—it was done in an hour of weakness—it is passed—I have no more to do with her."
"And may I not fear, my lord, you may thus treat me when tired of the charms you now flatter?"
"You are not surely going to compare a light, passing passion to the full, deep, pure love with which I adore you! I vow by yonder blue sky, and Him who dwells above it, I will love, cherish, doat on you eternally!"
"Think not, my dear lord, I do not love you as deeply," said Ellen, relentingly; "but when I love I will brook no rival—no idol on the shrine where I lay my affections. He who would gain Ellen Ravensworth's love must give her his undivided heart—and burn no incense to—nor worship—a false god! If you will give me your word you will not speak to Juana again, and vow to love me alone, I will be yours! If I hold only a second place in your heart—bitter as the pang will be to my own bosom—I will renounce love, and will not be your wife."
"I will give my word—the inviolate word of a British peer, far more sacred than his oath—that I will never speak to her again on love, nor love another save her to whom I plight my troth now! You will then be my own—my dearest Ellen."
"I will; but oh! my dear Lord Wentworth, remember your sainted sister's last words; flee worldly vanities, and live so as to meet again your dear absent one! I too give you my whole undivided heart—I reserve not one corner—and you shall see how I can love," said Ellen, blushing with joy; "nothing but death shall part us twain—not even death! When you die I will die too; I could not breathe without you! One only—He who made me—shall dispute with you my love!"
"Ellen," said the happy Earl, "you are a dear, good girl! I love you all the more because you showed me my error. I know I have thought too little of Augusta's wish—I know I have let the world take too strong a hold of my heart; but you shall be my good angel—my guide to better, purer springs; you have made me happy here, and you may be the instrument of making me happy hereafter. But we are overheard!" he cried, hastily rising. Ellen too sprung to her feet. The cause of this sudden interruption to their converse was a dark shadow that glided across the sunshine that streamed in at the mouth of the cave. A moment after a figure appeared—it was the light, youthful form of an Italian-looking boy. When he saw the two lovers he started back, and his dark countenance crimsoned as he saw his error. Crossing his arms over his breast, and bending his eye on the ground, he remained mute as a statue.
"Who, and what are you?" said the Earl, in a stern voice, being little pleased by his inopportune appearance.