The chess and card tables were just
as she had left them. Beatrice and Lord Airlie were still at the
piano. Lionel was nowhere to be seen. She went up to Beatrice
and smilingly asked Lord Airlie if he could spare her sister for
five minutes.
"Ten, if you wish it," he replied, "but no longer;" and the two
sisters walked through the long drawing room into the little
boudoir.
"Quick, Lillian," cried Beatrice, "have you seen him? What does
he say?"
"I have seen him," she replied; "there is no time now to tell all
he said. He sent this note," and Lillian gave the folded paper
into her sister's hand, and then clasped both hands in her own.
"Let me tell you, Beatrice darling, before you read it," she
said, "that I tried to soften his heart; and I think, if you will
see him yourself, and ask for your freedom, you will not ask in
vain."
A light that was dazzling as sunshine came into the beautiful
face.
"Oh, Lily," she cried, "can it be true? Do not mock me with
false hopes; my life seems to tremble in the balance."
"He is not cruel," said Lillian. "I am sorry for him.
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