Page:Lorna Doone - a romance of Exmoor (IA lornadooneromanc269blac).pdf/121

 I will have them out before I go. Now, darling, for one moment—just the other hand, for a change, you know."

So I got the other, but was not honest; for I kept them both, and felt their delicate beauty trembling, as I laid them to my heart.

"Oh, John, you will make me cry directly"—she bad been crying long ago—"if you go on in that way. You know we can never have one another; overy one is against it. Why should I make you miserable? Try not to think of me any more."

"And will you try the same of me, Lorna?"

"Oh yes, John; if you agree to it. At least I will try to try it."

"Then you won't try anything of the sort:" I cried with great enthusiasm, for her tone was so nice and melancholy: "the only thing we will try to try, is to belong to one another. And if we do our best, Lorna, God alone can prevent us."

She crossed herself, with one hand drawn free, as I spoke so boldly; and something swelled in her little throat, and prevented her from answering.

"Now tell me," I said; "what means all this. Why are you so pent up here? Why have you given me no token? Has your grandfather turned against you? Are you in any danger?"

"My poor grandfather is very ill: I fear that he will not live long. The Counsellor and his son are now the masters of the valley; and I dare not venture forth, for fear of anything they might do to me.