It was not a bad face, she thought; there was no cruelty or
meanness there. She read love so fierce and violent in it that
it startled her. He did not look like one who would wantonly and
willfully make her sister wretched for life. Hope grew in her
heart as she gazed. She resolved to plead with him for Beatrice,
to ask him to forget a childish, foolish promise--a childish
error.
"My sister is very unhappy," she said, bravely; "so unhappy that
I do not think she can bear much more; it will kill her or drive
her mad."
"It is killing me," he interrupted.
"You do not look cruel, Mr. Fernely," continued Lillian. "Your
face is good and true--I would trust you. Release my sister.
She was but a foolish, impetuous child when she made you that
promise. If she keeps it, all her life will be wretched. Be
generous and release her."
"Did she bid you ask me?" he interrogated.
"No," she replied; "but do you know what the keeping of the
promise will cost her? Lord Earle will never forgive her. She
will have to leave home, sister, friends--all she loves and
values most. Judge whether she could ever care for you, if you
brought this upon her.
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