“And you do not retract?”
“No, no indeed!”
“And will you then plead my cause with these two?” looking from Maurice to his brother-in-law; the latter lay with his fine eyes fixed on him, listening, with the most lively interest, to the conversation, but evidently without surprise; while the former evinced considerable astonishment.
“Ask for yourself, Lord Dunsmore,” said Hilary.
“I will. Will you two guardians trust your ward to me? Give me Gwyneth?”
“Ah, with pleasure!” said Maurice, “if she says yes herself.”
“You have had my best wishes for these two months,” replied Captain Hepburn; then turning to his wife, he added, “Do you think she would come here, Hilary? ask her.”
“You would frighten her,” said the lover, anxiously; but Hilary went to look for her at once.
“I am so glad,” said Captain Hepburn, “I hoped to see this settled; it is my last concern on earth, and I shall leave her with confidence in your charge, my lord. Hilary told me.”
It was an effort to him to speak, and his words were faint and slow.