[CHAPTER XXVII.]
Although Eugene Mallard tried his best to entertain Hildegarde's aunt as they rode along, it seemed to him an almost impossible undertaking. She stared at him too intently that he wondered what she was thinking of. He thought it might be as to whether he would make Hildegarde a good husband, and he wished with all his heart to set her doubts at rest on this point, so he began to talk of Hildegarde, and tell her how much he thought of her.
The more he spoke of her niece, the sterner Miss Fernly's face seemed to grow.
He was wondering to himself how long she would detain him, he longed so for to return to Hildegarde, who he knew was waiting for him with the utmost impatience.
Suddenly Miss Fernly turned to him.
"You say you would do anything for Hildegarde's good—for her future happiness?" she asked, slowly.
"Yes—certainly," he answered. "I would lay down my life for her. No sacrifice would be too great for me to make."
"You are sure of that?" she asked, quickly.
"There is no question of it," Hildegarde's lover answered, promptly. "To save her from a moment's pain, I would lay down twenty lives if I had them."