"It may be so, but that oath involves an eternal penalty which I dare not bring upon my soul."
"God can absolve all rash vows."
"Ay, those who believe in Him, who love and trust Him. I believe, simply because I fear. But love and trust—alas, the comfort, the assurance which springs from faith, was never felt by me."
"Dinah may die, and the secret may perish with her," cried I, growing desperate to obtain information on a subject of such vital importance to my friend—perhaps to me.
"That is nothing to me," she replied, coldly.
"Selfish, ungenerous woman!"
She smiled scornfully. "The world, and your family especially, have given me great encouragement to be liberal."
"Is Philip your brother?" cried I, vehemently, determined to storm the secret out of her.
"What is that to you? Yet, perhaps, if the truth were told, you would be the first to wish it buried in oblivion."
There was a lurking fire in her eye as she said this, which startled me.