ing of my affections. I followed you to your home,
and lived for a time content in the silent worship of your nature. When
I came the last morning to the cottage, it was to tell, and to ask,
all. Since then for a moment your image has never been absent from my
consciousness; your picture consecrates my hearth and your approval has
been the spur of my career. Do not reject my love; it is deep as
your nature, and fervent as my own. Banish those prejudices that have
embittered your existence, and if persisted in may wither mine. Deign
to retain this hand! If I be a noble I have none of the accidents of
nobility: I cannot offer you wealth, splendour, or power; but I can
offer you the devotion of an entranced being--aspirations that you shall
guide--an ambition that you shall govern!"

"These words are mystical and wild," said Sybil with an amazed air;
"they come upon me with convulsive suddenness." And she paused for an
instant, collecting as it were her mind with an expression almost of
pain upon her countenance. "These changes of life are so strange
and rapid that it seems to me I can scarcely meet them. You are Lord
Marney's brother; it was but yesterday--only but yesterday--I learnt it.
I thought then I had lost your friendship, and now you speak of--love!

"Love of me! Retain your hand and share your life and fortunes! You
forget what I am. But though I learnt only yesterday what you are, I
will not be so remiss. Once you wrote upon a page you were my faithful
friend: and I have pondered over that line with kindness often. I will
be your faithful friend; I will recall you to yourself. I will at least
not bring you shame and degradation."

"O! Sybil, beloved, beautiful Sybil--not such bitter words; no, no!"

"No bitterness to you! that would indeed be harsh," and she covered with
her hand her streaming eyes.

"Why what is this?" after a pause and with an effort she exclaimed.
"An union between the child and brother of nobles and a daughter of
the people! Estrangement from your family, and with cause, their hopes
destroyed, their pride outraged; alienation from your order, and justly,
all their prejudices insulted. You will forfeit every source of worldly
content and cast off every spring of social success. Society for you
will become a great confederation to deprive you of self-complacency.
And rightly. Will you not be a traitor to the cause? No, no, kind
friend, for such I'll call you. Your opinion of me, too good