"How if I dare to do so? Consider well: I may ask too much."
"Name it. If it be not to surrender you, by my mother's body I will obey you."
"I would propose an oath."
"Ha!"
"A solemn, binding oath, that; if you wed me not, you will not wed another. Ha! do you start? Have I appalled you?"
"I start? I will take it. Hear me—by——"
"Hold!" exclaimed a voice behind them. "Do not forswear yourself." And immediately afterwards the sexton made his appearance. There was a malignant smile upon his countenance. The lovers started at the ominous interruption.
"Begone!" cried Luke.
"Take not that oath," said Peter, "and I leave you. Remember the counsel I gave you on our way hither."
"What counsel did he give you, Luke?" inquired Sybil, eagerly, of her lover.