when I shall see an arm, not my own, about your waist; and the eyes that
would look on no prospect if you were not a part of it, may be doomed to
that fearfullest blight of beholding your lips smiling and pressed
beneath the lips of another?"

"Never, oh never, Ralph! Speak no more, I beseech you, in such language.
You do me wrong in this--I have no such wish, no such thought or
purpose. I do not--I could not--think of another, Ralph. I will be
yours, and yours only--if you really wish it."

"If I wish! Ah! dear Edith, you are mine, and I am yours! The world
shall not pass between us."

She murmured--

"Yours, Ralph, yours only!"

He caught her in his passionate embrace, even as the words were murmured
from her lips. Her head settled upon his shoulder; her light brown hair,
loosened from the comb, fell over it in silky masses. Her eyes closed,
his arms still encircled her, and the whole world was forgotten in a
moment;--when the door opened, and a third party entered the room in the
person of Colonel Colleton.

Here was a catastrophe!




CHAPTER IV.