"Oh! I wish I knew Italian like you, Wentworth: a minstrel! how charming—you must be my interpreter. Come, Ellen, tell me all Wentworth said," continued the fair girl, laughing. "Keep no secrets," and, taking Ellen's hand, the two walked on a few paces in front, leaving the Earl and his sister together.
"It is all settled," said the former. "Ellen will be future mistress of Dun Eden Towers; do you not think I have made a good choice?"
"Oh! I am so delighted you have at last made her happy, and I am sure she will make you so. I am so glad. Ellen, darling," said the lady, hastening forward. "Ellen, I congratulate you—let me be the first to do so dearest," and, so saying, she kissed her fondly.
"On what do you congratulate her?" said Lady Florence; "you do not mean—?"
"I do," said her sister; "and are you not glad Ellen will be our own sister, Florence? I am as happy—"
"And I too," said Lady Florence; "let me wish you every joy, Ellen."
"You are an excellent keeper of secrets," said the Earl, coming up; "that is the way you keep your promises of silence, Edith."
"I confess my fault; it was done in the fulness of my joy," said the Marchioness; "however, there is no harm done; Florence will keep it quiet, will you not dear?"
"I would not trust Florence's tongue a moment," said her brother.
"I am sure I shall not come to you for a character," retorted the beauty, pouting her pretty lips; "but to show you I can keep a secret, I will not tell anyone, though you deserve nothing less than that I should publish it at the market cross."