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The earnest tone of truth would, in itself, almost have convinced Sir Norman, but it was not that, that made him drop his sword so suddenly. The pale, startled face; the dark, solemn eyes, were so exactly like Leoline's, that they thrilled him through and through, and almost made him believe, for a moment, he was talking to Leoline herself.
I haven't lived in courts half my life to get up a scene for a small matter! Besides, I had an idea from the first moment I saw Leoline that she must be my sister, or something of that sort." "And so you felt no emotion whatever on hearing it?" "I don't know as I properly understand what you mean by emotion," said Herbert, reflectively.
I did not know that I would give it to you to-night, but I have a strange foreboding that it is destined to be my last on earth. And, Leoline my child, before I leave you, let me hear you say you will not hate me when you read what is there." "What have you done to me? Why should I hate you?" "Ah! you will find that all out soon enough.
Leoline knows all now; and she will tell Hubert, since destiny has brought them together; and whether they will forgive me I know not. But yet they might; for they have long and happy lives before them, and we can forgive everything to the dead." "But you are not dead," said Sir Norman; "and there is repentance and pardon for all.
Securing his horse, he looked up at the house with wistful eyes, and saw that the solitary light still burned in her chamber. It struck him now how very imprudent it was to keep that lamp burning; for if Count L'Estrange saw it, it was all up with Leoline and there was even more to be dreaded from him than from the earl. How was he to find out whether that illuminated chamber had a tenant or not?
Leoline caught a glimpse of the bright free moonlight, and watched him with desperate envy; but the next moment the shutters were closed, and Hubert and the moonlight were both gone. Sir Norman Kingsley's consternation and horror on discovering the dead body of his friend, was only equalled by his amazement as to how he got there, or how he came to be dead at all.
"Oh! your master has a faithful servant, I see! How long am I to be kept a prisoner?" "I do not know." "Where is Count L'Estrange?" "I cannot tell." "Where am I to see him?" "I cannot say." "Ha!" said Leoline, with infinite contempt, and turning her back upon him she relapsed into gloomy silence.
"But when I wish to see you so much, my darling Leoline," said the count, with provoking indifference, "what does a little reluctance on your part signify? Get your hood and mantle, my love my horse awaits us without and let us fly where neither plague nor mortal man will interrupt our nuptials!" "Will no one take this man away?" she cried, looking helplessly round, and wringing her hands.
She rose up as they entered, and came forward with the same glow on her face and the same light in her eyes that one of them had seen before, and stood with drooping eyelashes, lovely as a vision in the centre of the room. "You see I have lost no time in obeying your ladyship's commands," began Ormiston, bowing low. "Mistress Leoline, allow me to present Sir Norman Kingsley."
"Good heavens, Kingsley!" he cried; "it is Leoline, herself!" In his excitement he had spoken so loud, that in the momentary silence that followed the physician's direction, his voice had rung through the room, and drew every eye upon them. "We are seen, we are seen!" shouted Hubert, and as he spoke, a terrible cry idled the room.
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