Page:Tales of my landlord (Volume 4).djvu/334

 spite of the almost inevitable ruin which yawns before you?"

"Forgive me, Miss Bellenden; even your solicitude on my account must not detain me when my honour calls. My horses stand ready saddled, my servants are prepared, the signal for rising will be given so soon as I reach Kilsythe—If it is my fate that calls me, I will not shun meeting it. It will be something," he said, taking her hand, "to die deserving your compassion, since I cannot gain your love."

"O, my lord, remain," said Edith, in a tone which went to his heart; "time may explain the strange circumstance which has shocked me so much; my agitated nerves may recover their tranquillity. O do not rush on death and ruin! remain to be our prop and stay, and hope every thing from time!"

"It is too late, Edith; and I were most ungenerous could I practise on the warmth and kindliness of your feelings towards