duty truly by you both, and will make your happiness the chief object of
my existence." When she had listened to him thus far, of course she must
accept him; but he was by no means aware of that. She sat silent, with her
hands folded on her breast, looking down upon the ground; but he did not
as yet attempt to seat himself by her. "Lady Eustace," he continued, "may
I venture to entertain a hope?"

"May I not have an hour to think of it," said Lizzie, just venturing to
turn a glance of her eye upon his face.

"Oh, certainly. I will call again whenever you may bid me."

Now she was silent for two or three minutes, during which he still stood
over her. But he had dropped his hand from his breast, and had stooped,
and picked up his hat ready for his departure. Was he to come again on
Monday, or Tuesday, or Wednesday? Let her tell him that and he would go.
He doubtless reflected that Wednesday would suit him best, because there
would be no House. But Lizzie was too magnanimous for this. "Lord Fawn,"
she said, rising, "you have paid me the greatest compliment that a man can
pay a woman. Coming from you it is doubly precious; first, because of your
character; and secondly----"

"Why secondly?"

"Secondly, because I can love you." This was said in her lowest whisper,
and then she moved toward him gently, and almost laid her head upon his
breast. Of course he put his arm round her waist, but it was first
necessary that he should once more disembarrass himself of his hat, and
then her head was upon his breast.