veil the blush that did not speak of shame.

With various feelings, both were a moment silent. But oh, that
moment! what centuries of bliss were crowded into it for the nobler
and fairer nature!

At last, gently releasing herself, she put her hands before her eyes,
as if to convince herself she was awake, and then, turning her lovely
face full upon the wooer, Sibyll said ingenuously,--

"Oh, my lord--oh, Hastings! if thy calmer reason repent not these
words, if thou canst approve in me what thou didst admire in Elizabeth
the queen, if thou canst raise one who has no dower but her heart to
the state of thy wife and partner, by this hand, which I place
fearlessly in thine, I pledge thee to such a love as minstrel hath
never sung. No!" she continued, drawing loftily up her light
stature,--"no, thou shalt not find me unworthy of thy name,--mighty
though it is, mightier though it shall be. I have a mind that can
share thine objects, I have pride that can exult in thy power, courage
to partake thy dangers, and devotion--" she hesitated, with the most
charming blush--"but of that, sweet lord, thou shalt judge hereafter!
This is my dowry,--it is all!"

"And all I ask or covet," said Hastings. But his cheek had lost its
first passionate glow. Lord of many a broad land and barony,
victorious captain in many a foughten field, wise statesman in many a
thoughtful stratagem, high in his king's favour, and linked with a
nation's history,--William de Hastings at that hour was as far below
as earth is to heaven the poor maiden whom he already repented to have
so honoured, and whose sublime answer woke no echo from his heart.