Lady Evelyn — page 157: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

150 The Rescue. of which I have read and heard so much—no, Mr. Tre- vannance, I do not feel toward you like that.”’ “Tt will come in time,’ he whispered. “It shall be the aim of my life to win it. Stich love as mine must bring a return.’ “TI am quite frank with you, you see,’ Lady Evelyn went steadily on. “The day may come when I will love you dearly. ‘There is no reason why it should not. Per- haps | am cold and passionless, and different from others of my sex. I do not know. But of this I am certain: that, as your plighted wife, your honor and happiness will be dearer to me than my life. No suffering nor. sorrow can ever come to you that I will not feel in my inmost heart. I will think of you; I] will pray for you; I will trust you. I will make you happy, if I can.” The deep, dark eyes looking up at him—so solemn— so strangely sweet. To the eyes of Trevannance her face was as the face of an angel, and he—oh! how little of the angelic he had to give her in return! His heart smote him strangely, as though, in taking this white rose to his bosom and making it wholly his own he did her a deep and cruel wrong. ~My dearest,’ he said, kissing again the slender white hand, “you are an angel of whom I am altogether un- worthy! Of my happiness there can be no doubt. I am far happier now than I deserve. But I will try and be- come worthy of you—worthy the fairest and most spot- less bride man ever won!” And then there was silence between them, while the silver moon sailed up and the earth lay still under the frosty stars. “I have a favor to ask of you.”’ she said, presently, “a strange request—an unkind one, perhaps. But you will erant it, | know.” You can ask nothing I will not grant, unless it be to —resign yourself.” “Well, it is not quite so bad as that,” smiling. “Tt is only that you will not-alter your plans for this. Go to- morrow, as you have intended. Give me time to get used to my new position. In writing to you—in hearing _ from you—in following you in spirit in your wanderings —the unpleasant strangeness I feel now will wear off, : and when you return, I will be able to meet you and erect