Then this strange suitor spoke again. "It is a hard and cruel fate
that my Lady has sought to impose on you."
"Oh, do not say so, sir I---"
"No," he interrupted somewhat hastily, "do not try to deny it, my
child; I know better than you can what it would amount to. Believe
me, I only lend myself to her arrangement because I know no better
means of guarding you and preserving you for better days."
"I know how kind you are, sir."
"And you trust me?"
"Indeed I do."
"That is all I ask. I shall never be a husband to you more than in
name, Aurelia, nor ask of you more than you give me now, namely, your
sweet presence for a few hours in the evening, without seeing me.
Can you bear thus to devote your young life, for a time at least?"
"You know, sir, how glad I always am to be with you," said Aurelia,
relieved yet half regretting that strange fervour. "I will do my
very best to please you."
"Ah! sweet child," he began, with a thrill of deep feeling in his
voice; but checking himself he continued, "All I ask is patience
and trust for a time--for a time--you promise it!"
"With all my heart," said Aurelia.
"I will use my best endeavours to requite that trust, my child," he
said. "Is not the Christian watchword faith, not sight? It must be
yours likewise.
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