Here, as the sun was setting, Lionel and Sophy came in sight,--above
their heads, the western clouds bathed in gold and purple. Sophy,
perceiving George, bounded forwards, and reached his side, breathless.




CHAPTER V.

LIONEL HAUGHTON HAVING LOST HIS HEART, IT IS NO LONGER A QUESTION OF
WHAT HE WILL DO WITH IT. BUT WHAT WILL BE DONE WITH IT IS A VERY
GRAVE QUESTION INDEED.

Lionel forestalled Lady Montfort in the delicate and embarrassing subject
which her cousin had urged her to open. For while George, leading away
Sophy, informed her of his journey to Norwich, and his interview with
Merle, Lionel drew. Lady Montfort into the house, and with much
agitation, and in abrupt hurried accents, implored her to withdraw the
promise which forbade him to inform his benefactor how and where his time
had been spent of late. He burst forth with a declaration of that love
with which Sophy had inspired him, and which Lady Montfort could not be
but prepared to hear. "Nothing," said he, "but a respect for her more
than filial anxiety at this moment could have kept my heart thus long
silent. But that heart is so deeply pledged--so utterly hers--that it
has grown an ingratitude, a disrespect--to my generous kinsman, to
conceal from him any longer the feelings which must colour my whole
future existence. Nor can I say to her, 'Can you return my affection?--
will you listen to my vows?--will you accept them at the altar?'--until I
have won, as I am sure to win, the approving consent of my more than