"O God! O God! he answers not, he falters! Speak! Is it true?"

"It is true. I am wedded to another."

Sibyll did not fall to the ground, nor faint, nor give vent to noisy
passion. But the rich colour, which before had been varying and
fitful, deserted her cheek, and left it of an ashen whiteness; the
lips, too, grew tightly compressed, and her small fingers, interlaced,
were clasped with strained and convulsive energy, so that the
quivering of the very arms was perceptible. In all else she seemed
composed, as she said, "I thank you, my lord, for the simple truth; no
more is needed. Heaven bless you and yours! Farewell!"

"Stay! you shall--you must hear me on. Thou knowest how dearly in
youth I loved Katherine Nevile. In manhood the memory of that love
haunted me, but beneath thy sweet smile I deemed it at last effaced; I
left thee to seek the king, and demand his assent to our union. I
speak not of obstacles that then arose; in the midst of them I learned
Katherine was lone and widowed,--was free. At her own summons I
sought her presence, and learned that she had loved me ever,--loved me
still. The intoxication of my early dream returned; reverse and exile
followed close; Katherine left her state, her fortunes, her native
land, and followed the banished man; and so memory and gratitude and
destiny concurred, and the mistress of my youth became my wife. None
other could have replaced thy image; none other have made me forget
the faith I pledged thee. The thought of thee has still pursued me,--
will pursue me to the last. I dare not say now that I love thee still,
but yet--" He paused, but rapidly resumed, "Enough, enough! dear art
thou to me, and honoured,--dearer, more honoured than a sister. Thank