and in this country that is of no small importance. And, Hilary, then you would be forever safe from the intrusions, the attentions, the insidious friendship of Mr. Huyton.”
“Do you fear him?” said she, looking up.
“I mistrust him; as to fear, that is not the word. Once my wife, and you will be safe, there will be nothing for him to hope more, and, perhaps his passion will really expire; but till then, I am certain he will continue to haunt you, and his disposition makes me tremble.”
“You judge him hardly,” said Sybil; “you are a prejudiced rival.”
“Not a jealous one, at least, Sybil: but I watched him to-day; I saw his face darken and his very lips grow pale, as his eyes fell on the portrait of Hilary, in my cabin. I saw a world of evil and envious passions pass over his brow as he stood and gazed at it. He said the truth when he declared in the hut in the forest, that while you continued single he would never cease trying to win you. Let me place one insurmountable barrier between you and him, and let us extinguish the last faint hope of your changing. He will then leave you in peace.”
Hilary paused, pondered, and hesitated. “It is so soon,” was all that she could say in objection, there really seemed no other to urge.
“However long you defer it, if your wedding day is ever to come at all, we shall eventually come within four days of it,” observed he, smiling a little.
“So sudden!” ejaculated she again.
“I thought you had been contemplating it these two years past—I am sure I have,” was his answer.
This time she could not forbear smiling a little herself, and the day was won by her lover.