“Do not ask,” replied Fawkes; “let it suffice you are in safety. And now,” he added, “perhaps, Humphrey Chetham will inform me in what manner he contrived your escape. I am impatient to know.”
The young merchant then gave the required information, and Viviana added such particulars as were necessary to the full understanding of the story. Guy Fawkes could scarcely control himself when she related the tortures she had endured, nor was Chetham less indignant.
“You rescued me just in time,” said Viviana. “I should have sunk under the next application.”
“Thank Heaven! you have escaped it,” exclaimed Fawkes. “You owe much to Humphrey Chetham, Viviana.”
“I do, indeed,” she replied.
“And can you not requite it?” he returned. “Can you not make him happy?—Can you not make me happy?”
Viviana's pale cheek was instantly suffused with blushes, but she made no answer.
“Oh, Viviana!” cried Humphrey Chetham, “you hear what is said. If you could doubt my love before, you must be convinced of it now. A hope will make me happy. Have I that?”
“Alas! no,” she answered. “It would be the height of cruelty, after your kindness, to deceive you. You have not.”
The young merchant turned aside to hide his emotion.