“Have you not been able to induce him to return to us? I should have thought your intreaties would have been complied with immediately,” said the young merchant.
“Alas, no!” replied Lilya, sorrowfully. “All my intreaties have been disregarded.”
“Then you must allow me to make you forget him till he comes to his senses,” said Oriel.
“No, I cannot forget him—I’m sure I cannot forget him—indeed, I cannot forget him,” exclaimed the artless girl.
“He scarcely deserves to be so well remembered,” observed the young merchant. “In fact I am beginning to feel angry with him for being so obstinate.”
“Oh, do not be angry with him!” exclaimed Lilya, earnestly; “you must not be angry with him, for I am sure he is unhappy.”
“Well, then, if I promise you not to be angry, you must allow me to be as kind to you as you would wish him to be,” said Oriel Porphyry. “For I cannot suffer a creature so unoffending as you are to be made wretched by such unreasonable conduct. I shall regard you as a favorite sister; and I feel just as much interested in your happiness as if you were so dearly related to me. I will not allow you to have a wish ungratified that is harmless and natural. I will endeavour to afford you whatever pleasure you most delight in, that I have the means of procuring; and I will watch over you, and guard you from all evil, and shield you from every danger.”
“Oh, how good you are!” murmured the gentle girl, raising her beautiful eyes, suffused with tears, to his face.
“And I shall expect in return for all this attention to your welfare, that you will regard me with a sisterly affection,” continued the other. “You must be as kind to me as I will be to you. You must endeavour always to appear cheerful and willing to be pleased. Every effort that I make to render your life an enjoyment to you, you must respond to by showing the gladness it ought to produce. You must be attentive to my instructions, obedient to my wishes, be gratified with my attentions, and satisfied with the exertions I shall make to insure your happiness.”
“Indeed, I will!” exclaimed the timid maiden, affectionately clasping the hand of Oriel in her own.