." And
turning away, he entered his bedroom just as Wilton opened the
opposite door.
Laura gazed upon her lover, as he came in; and asked herself, while
she marked that noble and open countenance, "Is it possible he could
make any unworthy condition?"
Wilton's face was grave, and even sad, for he had again applied to
Vernon, and received a still less satisfactory reply than before; but
he was glad to find Laura alone, for this was the first time that he
had obtained any opportunity of seeing her in private, since she had
been permitted to join her father in the Tower. His greeting, then,
was as tender and as affectionate as the circumstances in which they
stood towards each other might warrant; but he did not forget, even
then, that subject which he knew was of the deepest interest to her
--her father's situation.
"Oh, dearest Laura," he said, "I have longed to speak with you for a
few minutes alone, and yet, now that I have the opportunity, I have
nothing but sad subjects to entertain you with."
His words confirmed Laura's confidence in his generosity. She saw
clearly that he knew not what had been proposed by the Earl; the very
conviction gave her joy, and she replied, looking up playfully and
affectionately in his face,--
"I thought, Wilton, that you had come to measure my finger for the
ring," and she held out her small fair hand towards him.
"Oh, would to Heaven, dear Laura," he answered, pressing the hand
that she had given to his lips--"would to Heaven, that we had arrived
at that point!--But, Laura, you are smiling still. You have heard
some good news: your father is pardoned: is it not so?"
"No, Wilton, no," she said, "not quite such good news as that. But
still the news I have heard is good news; but it is odd enough,
Wilton, that I should have to tell it to you; and yet I am glad that
it is so."
She then detailed to him all that had occurred, as far as she had
learned it from her father. Wilton listened with surprise and
astonishment; but, though at the joyful tidings of the Duke's
consent, and at the prospect of her so soon becoming his irrevocably,
he could not restrain his joy, but clasped her in rapture to his
heart, yet there was a feeling of indignation, ay, and of doubt and
suspicion also, in regard to Lord Byerdale's conduct, and his
purposes, which mingled strangely with his satisfaction.
"Although, dear Laura," he said, "although this is a blessed hope for
ourselves, and also a blessed hope for your father, I cannot help
sayi