But perhaps you will allow the recollection of
what we must both believe to have been his feelings and his hopes, to
plead with you for me."
"For you, Mr. Dale!" and Lydia Graham's breast heaved with genuine
emotion, and her voice trembled with no artificial faltering.
"Yes, Miss Graham, for me. I need a friend, such a friend as you could
be, if you would, to counsel and to aid me. But, pardon me, I am
detaining you, and you have another guest." (How ardently Lydia Graham
wished she had not invited the accommodating widow to play propriety!)
"You will permit me to visit you soon again, and we will speak of much
which cannot now be discussed. May I come soon?"
As he spoke these hope-inspiring words, there was genuine eagerness in
the tone of Douglas Dale's voice, there was brightness in his frank
eyes. No wonder Lydia held the story her brother had told her in
scornful disbelief; no wonder she felt all the glow of the fulfilment
of long-deferred hope. What would have been her sensations had she
known that Douglas Dale's only actuating motive in the proposed
friendly alliance, was to secure a female friend for his adored
Paulina, to gain for her the countenance and protection of a woman
whose place in society was recognized and unassailable?
"You will excuse my joining your brother and your friend now, will you
not, Miss Graham? I must, at all events, have taken an early leave of
you, and this conversation has given me much to think of.
Pages:
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598
599