uld not mind if all the world
knew how much I adore you. On the contrary, I should glory in it," added
the lover.

"But a lady feels differently. She only lets her _lover_ know how well
she loves him; and not always does she even let him know," softly
murmured the beautiful temptress, as she lightly caressed his raven
curls. "And now tell me the news, dear Craven. How are all our friends
at Blue Cliffs?" she archly inquired.

"I only want to tell you how much I adore you," whispered the lover, who
was beginning to recover his composure.

"That would be a vain repetition, darling, especially as I know it all
quite well," murmured Mary Grey, with a smile, and still passing her
hand with mesmeric gentleness over his hair.

"Aye; but when will you make me completely happy?" sighed the poor
fellow.

"Whew!" smiled Mary Grey, with a little bird-like whistle. "How fast we
are getting on, to be sure! Why, a few minutes ago we were afraid that
we were taking a liberty in coming here to call on our lady-love at all!
And now we are pressing her to name the day! See here, you impatient
boy, answer me this: When did I ever promise to 'make you happy' _at
all_?" she inquired, in a bantering tone.

"But you gave me hopes--oh, do not say that you never gave me hopes!" he
pleaded, turning red and pale and trembling from head to foot as before.

"Well, I don't say it; for I know I promised if ever I should marry
living man I should marry you. I repeat that promise now, dear Craven,"
she added, gravely and tenderly.

"Ah, Heaven bless you for those blessed words! But when--_when_ will you
make me happy? Oh, if I possess your love, when--_when_ shall I possess
your hand?" he pleaded.

And then, as if suddenly ashamed of his own vehemence, he stopped in
confusion.

"You have won my love, you petulant boy!" she answered, archly. Then,
dropping her voice to its tenderest music, she murmured: "What would you
do to win my hand?"

"Anything--anything under the sun!" he answered, wildly, and forgetting
all his embarrassment. "Whatever man has done to win woman would I do to
win you--more than ever man did to win woman would I do to win you! I
would renounce my friends, betray my country, abjure my faith, _lose my
soul_ for you!"

"Words, words, words! You talk recklessly! You know you would not do the
least one of these dreadful deeds for me," answered Mary Grey, laying
her hand on his lips.

"Try me!"

CHAPTER XXIV.