"No, for they were whitened by your grief for me," she answers, pressing her sweet, shy lips on those silvery tokens of his sorrow.
And now Colonel Lockhart begs her to name an early day for their marriage.
"We have had so many vicissitudes in our courtship, darling, that I can never feel sure of you until you are my wife. Let it be soon, dear," he pleads.
But Lady Vera, blushing her sweetest, answers:
"Not until after the trial is decided, Philip."
But this is just what the handsome soldier is unwilling to do.
"Why wait until after that?" he asks. "Do you mean to throw me over if—all does not go to please you?"
The dark eyes look at him gravely.
"If it goes against me, Philip, would you be willing to wed one whom the world will brand as an impostor?" she asks him, slowly.
"Yes, for I would know the charge was untrue. Oh, Vera, let me make you my own now, while the issue is still in doubt, that you may know that I loved you for yourself alone."