“O Marian! sister! is it you?”

“Yes, dearest Lil! But hush! speak low!”

“Are you yet alive, dear Marian? or am I dreaming?”

“No dream, sister, but a reality.”

“O mercy! tell me, sister—”

“All—all—but not now—there is no time.”

“But he, dear sister? who is he that is with you?”

I stepped near enough to reply in a whisper: “One, Lilian, who thinks of thee!”

“O sir! Edward!—Edward!—it is you!”

“Hush!” whispered Marian, again interposing with a quick gesture of caution. “Speak only in whispers! Lilian!” continued she in a firm tone, “you must fly with us!”