“Aye! So I will. But—”
“But what?”
“The earl!”
“Look ye, my own dear love,” said the brave girl, without a break or a quiver in her voice, “let the earl rest for the present. Let us become more used to our new-found joy. I have no wish to deceive the dear old man, and at a proper time I shall tell him. I expect he will be surprised; perhaps disappointed; but I can not believe he will be angry. At all events no power on earth shall take our love from us nor separate us.”
“Oh, Cordelia!”
“Percy!”
“God grant that our love may prosper! Something whispers to me that I may hope.”
“Yes, dear love, hope, and trust in me. I will forsake you never, never!”
Just then they heard the footfall of the maid drawing near, and Cordelia turned to speak with her.