If you see
him I feel sure he will release you. See what he says."
Beatrice opened the letter; it contained but a few penciled
lines. She did not give them to Lillian to read.
"Beatrice," wrote Hugh Fernely, "you must tell me with your own
lips that you do not love me. You must tell me yourself that
every sweet hope you gave me was a false lie. I will not leave
Earlescourt again without seeing you. On Thursday night, at ten
o'clock, I will be at the same place--meet me, and tell me if
you want your freedom. Hugh."
"I shall win!" she cried. "Lily, hold my hands--they tremble
with happiness. See, I can not hold the paper. He will release
me, and I shall not lose my love--my love, who is all the world
to me. How must I thank you? This is Tuesday; how shall I live
until Thursday? I feel as though a load, a burden, the weight of
which no words can tell, were taken from me. Lily, I shall be
Lord Airlie's wife, and you will have saved me."
"Beatrice," said Lord Earle, as the sisters, in returning, passed
by the chess table, "our game is finished, will you give us a
song?"
Never had the magnificent voice rung out so joyously, never had
the beautiful face looked so bright.
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