Do you think I
could brook Lord Earle's angry scorn and Lady Helena's pained
wonder? Knowing our father as you know him, do you believe he
would pardon me?"
"I do not," replied Lily, sadly.
"That is not all," continued Beatrice. "I might bear anger,
scorn, and privation, but, Lily, if this miserable secret is
discovered, Lord Airlie will cease to love me. He might have
forgiven me if I had told him at first; he would not know that I
had lied to him and deceived him. I can not lose him--I can not
give him up. For our mother's sake, for my sake, help me, Lily.
Do what I have asked!"
"If I do it," said Lillian, "it will give you but a few days'
reprieve; it will avail nothing; he will be here again."
"I shall think of some means of escape in a few days," answered
Beatrice wistfully. "Something must happen, Lily, fortune could
not be so cruel to me; it could not rob me of my love. If I can
not free myself, I shall run away. I would rather suffer
anything than face Lord Airlie or my father. Say you will help
me for my love's sake! Do not let me lose my love!"
"I will help you," said Lillian; "it is against my better
judgment--against my idea of right--but I can not refuse you.
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