"My precious darling!" he passionately exclaimed. "I never could forget thee; thy name is written on my heart; I shall never cease to love thee. The saints forfend me, Doll. I were a miscreant indeed were I to play traitor to thy love."
"I shall trust you, John," she replied, bestowing upon him a look of undisguised affection; "I do trust thee; I shall be happy in thy love. Whatever trouble comes I shall be happy, because I shall know your heart is trusty and true."
"That it shall be, Doll," he cried, "a right trusty heart—though they do make thee wed Edward Stanley."
"John!" she exclaimed quickly, flushing scarlet again, "have I not given my troth to thee? They shall not force me into it. You can trust me."
"O, Doll. My love, my darling, it would break my heart to give thee up; but I must do it for the sake of thy happiness."
Poor heart, he spoke but the truth, but he spoke it as bravely as he could.
"Hush, John," Dorothy hastily broke in; "you must not say such things."
"Alas! you little know, my sweet one, to what misery you would consign yourself if you proved staunch to me," he continued. "This fragile form was not made to suffer, but to recline in ease," he added, as he gazed fondly at the graceful form of the maiden.
"I have recked the cost," she simply replied. "You do not doubt me, do you, John?" she asked, looking up into his troubled face.
"Doubt thee, no;" he replied, "but I would save thee from a host of sorrows."