earn their song; no one
knows who taught them, but they are ever to the same tune. "Sensible of
the honour"--"Grateful"--"Some one more worthy," &c., &c.

Darrell checked this embarrassed jargon. "My question, young lady, is
solemn; it involves the destiny of two lives. Do you mean to say that
you do not love Lionel Haughton well enough to give him your hand, and
return the true faith which is pledged with his own?"

"Yes," said Lionel, who had gained the side of his kinsman, "yes, that
is it. O Sophy--Ay or No?"

"No!" fell from her pale, firm lips--and in a moment more she was
at Waife's side, and had drawn him away from George. "Grandfather,
grandfather!--home, home; let us go home at once, or I shall die!"

Darrell has kept his keen sight upon her movements--upon her
countenance. He sees her gesture--her look--as she now clings to her
grandfather. The blue eyes are not now coldly fixed on level air, but
raised upward as for strength from above. The young face is sublime with
its woe, and with its resolve.

"Noble child," muttered Darrell, "I think I see into her heart. If so,
poor Lionel, indeed! My pride has yielded, hers never will!"

Lionel, meanwhile, kept beating his foot on the ground, and checking
indignantly the tears that sought to gather to his eyes. Darrell threw
his arm round the young man's shoulder, and led him gently, slowly away,
by the barbed thorn-tree-on by the moss-grown crags.

Waife, meanwhile, is bending his ear to Sophy's lip. The detestable
Fairthorn emerges from between the buttresses, and shambles up to
George, thirsting to hear his hopes confirmed, and turning his face back
to smile congratulation, on the gloomy old house that he thinks he has
saved from the lake.

Sophy has at last convinced Waife that his senses do not deceive him,
nor hers wander. She has said, "O grandfather, let us ever henceforth
be all in all to each other. You are not ashamed of me--I am so proud
of you. But there are others akin to me, grandfather, whom we will not
mention; and you would be ashamed of me if I brought disgrace on one who
would confide to me his name, his honour; and should I be as proud of
you, if you asked me to do it?"

At these word, Waife understands all, and he has not an argument in
reply; and he suffers Sophy to lead him towards the house. Yes, they
will go hence--yes, there shall be no schemes of marriage! They had
nearly reached the door, when the door itself opened violently, a