Page:Bianca, or, The Young Spanish Maiden (Toru Dutt).djvu/30

326 it was not wrong; I love him father; he is "my lion and my noble lord"—"the god of my life !" Her eyes fell on her father "Oh where is he? He was sitting here a minute ago, and now there's on1y father." She closed her eyes again; Garcia beckoned to Lord Moore to come in; he entered and stood near the couch, silent and pale. Garcia had buried his face among the shawls; presently he raised his head and pressed the brown little hand of Bianca against his cheek;—"How hot her hand is!" He muttered. She opened her eyes and saw Lord Moore;—"How pale you are, my lord." He dropped on his knee beside her;—"How pale you are,"—she said again ;—“It cannot ho, it cannot be!" Then she murmured in a soft clear voice,

Alas! my lord,—so it is—listen! she said sadly.

"Inez!" (She exclaimed, "did you love Ingram as much as I do my lord? yes? You were sometimes sad here, Inez. I know you were. But now you are happy dear. I should like to be with you sister." She sighed. "Inez," she went on lower, "he kissed me Inez; was it so very wrong? Father is angry, Inez; Ingram used to kiss you sister, and father was not angry with you; I always thou he loved you best"—sadly. "O sister; stay one minute longer, then I’ll follow you; one moment;"—She stopped, then went on again.. "Sister! His kiss was so sweet, so strange the touch of his ups made the blood flow ruddier and stronger in my veins. 'Sweet is true love though given in vain, in vain—