Perhaps they may get on all the better if I take myself off, there being always one too many in a case like this." Then aloud: "Madame, I regret that I am obliged to depart, having a most particular appointment; but, doubtless, my friend will be able to express himself without my assistance.I have the honor to wish you both good-night."With which neat and appropriate speech, Ormiston bowed himself out, and was gone before Leoline could detain him, even if she wished to do so.Probably, however, she thought the care of one gentleman sufficient responsibility at once; and she did not look very seriously distressed by his departure; and, the moment he disappeared, Sir Norman brightened up wonderfully.
It is very discomposing to the feelings to make love in the presence of a third party; and Sir Norman had no intention of wasting his time on anything, and went at it immediately.Taking her hand, with a grace that would have beaten Sir Charles Grandison or Lord Chesterfield all to nothing, he led her to a couch, and took a seat as near her as was at all polite or proper, considering the brief nature of their acquaintance.The curtains were drawn; the lamp shed a faint light; the house was still, and there was no intrusive papa to pounce down upon them;the lady was looking down, and seemed in no way haughty or discouraging, and Sir Norman's spirits went up with a jump to boiling-point.
Yet the lady, with all her pretty bashfulness, was the first to speak.
"I'm afraid, Sir Norman, you must think this a singular hour to come here; but, in these dreadful times, we cannot tell if we may live from one moment to another; and I should not like to die, or have you die, without my telling, and you hearing, all my gratitude.For I do assure you, Sir Norman," said the lady, lifting her dark eyes with the prettiest and moat bewitching earnestness, "that I am grateful, though I cannot find words to express it.""Madame, I would not listen to you it you would; for I have done nothing to deserve thanks.I wish I could tell you what I felt when Ormiston told me you were alive and safe.""You are very kind, but pray do not call me madame.Say Leoline!""A thousand thanks, dear Leoline!" exclaimed Sir Norman, raising her hand to his lips, and quite beside himself with ecstasy.
"Ah, I did not tell you to say that!" she cried, with a gay laugh and vivid blush."I never said you were to call me dear.""It arose from my heart to my lips," said Sir Norman, with thrilling earnestness and fervid glance; "for you are dear to me - dearer than all the world beside!"The flush grew a deeper glow on the lady's face; but, singular to relate, she did not look the least surprised or displeased; and the hand he had feloniously purloined lay passive and quite contented in his.
"Sir Norman Kingsley is pleased to jest," said the lady, in a subdued tone, and with her eyes fixed pertinaciously on her shining dress; "for he has never spoken to me before in his life!""That has nothing to do with it, Leoline.I love you as devotedly as if I had known you from your birthday; and, strange to say, I feel as if we had been friends for years instead of minutes.I cannot realize at all that you are a stranger to me!"Leoline laughed:
"Nor I; though, for that matter, you are not a stranger to me, Sir Norman!""Am I not? How is that!"
"I have seen you go past so often, you know; and Prudence told me who you were; and so I need - I used - " hesitating and glowing to a degree before which her dress paled.
"Well, dearest," said Sir Norman, getting from the positive to the superlative at a jump, and diminishing the distance between them, "you need to - what?""To watch for you!" said Leoline, in a sly whisper."And so Ihave got to know you very well!"
"My own darling! And, O Leoline! may I hope - dare I hope - that you do not altogether hate me?"Leoline looked reflective; though her bleak eyes were sparkling under their sweeping lashes.
"Why, no," she said, demurely, "I don't know as I do.It's very sinful and improper to hate one's fellow-creatures, you know, Sir Norman, and therefore I don't indulge in it.""Ah! you are given to piety, I see.In that case, perhaps you are aware of a precept commanding us to love our neighbors.Now, I'm your nearest neighbor at present; so, to keep up a consistent Christian spirit, just be good enough to say you love me!"Again Leoline laughed; and this time the bright, dancing eyes beamed in their sparkling darkness fall upon him.
"I am afraid your theology is not very sound, my friend, and Ihave a dislike to extremes.There is a middle course, between hating and loving.Suppose I take that?""I will have no middle courses - either hating or loving it must be! Leoline! Leoline!" (bending over her, and imprisoning both hands this time) "do say you love me!""I am captive in your hands, so I must, I suppose.Yes, Sir Norman, I do love you!"Every man hearing that for the first time from a pair of loved lips is privileged to go mad for a brief season, and to go through certain manoeuvers much more delectable to the enjoyers than to society at large.For fully ten minutes after Leoline's last speech, there was profound silence.But actions sometimes speak louder than words; and Leoline was perfectly convinced that her declaration had not fallen on insensible ears.At the end of that period, the space between them on the couch had so greatly diminished, that the ghost of a zephyr would have been crushed to death trying to get between them; and Sir Norman's face was fairly radiant.Leoline herself looked rather beaming; and she suddenly, and without provocation, burst into a merry little peal of laughter.
"Well, for two people who were perfect strangers to each other half an hour ago, I think we have gone on remarkably well.What will Mr.Ormiston and Prudence say, I wonder, when they hear this?""They will say what is the truth - that I am the luckiest man in England.O Leoline! I never thought it was in me to love any one as I do you."'
