"Promise me, Elfie," said Mr. Carleton, after a pause.
But Fleda hesitated still, and looked dubious.
"Come!" he said, smiling "you know you promised a little while ago that you would have a particular regard to my wishes."
Fleda's cheeks answered that appeal with sufficient brightness, but she looked down, and said, demurely
"I am sure one of your wishes is, that I should not say anything rashly."
"Well?"
"One cannot answer for such wilful things as tears."
"And for such wilful things as men?" said he, smiling.
But Fleda was silent.
"Then I will alter the form of my demand. Promise me that no shadow of anything shall come over your spirit that you do not let me either share or remove."