The instant their eyes met both colored deeply, and the young girl drooped her gaze, as she replied:
“Who could help weeping at all this happiness and good that has come so unexpectedly?”
“I know strange things have developed themselves here to-night; but,” he added, with a touch of sadness in his voice, “do you remember what you promised me this morning?”
“Yes, I do remember.”
“I have come to release you from that pledge. You must have seen, ere this, that I am unworthy to perform such a duty, and though I know you have no friends to care for you, yet knowing what you now do of me, I feel I have no right to expect you to trust in me. But I will find some one who will care for you faithfully.”
His voice was full of regret and self-depreciation, and the sound of it brought the tears again to the fair girl’s eyes. But she hastily lifted her head, and glanced half-defiantly at him, as if daring him to accuse her of being unmaidenly in what she was about to say, and replied:
“I do not desire to be released from my promise.”
“Miss Chichester! surely you do not mean it,” he said, eagerly, his whole face lighting brilliantly.
“Yes, Mr. Ellerton, I do.”
“And can you trust me still, after knowing what you do?”