"Try, for the love you bear
me, to trust me!"
"I will never believe in any one again," he said. "Take back
your promise, Lillian Earle; you have broken a true and honest
heart, you have blighted a whole life. Heaven knows what I shall
become, drifted from you. I care not. You have deceived me.
Take back your ring. I will say goodbye to you. I shall not
care to look upon your false, fair face again."
"Oh, Lionel, wait!" she cried. "Give me time--do not leave me
so!"
"Time will make little difference," he answered; "I shall not
leave the Hall until tomorrow morning; you can write to me if you
wish me to remain."
He laid the ring upon the table, refusing to notice the
trembling, outstretched hand. He could not refrain from looking
back at her as he quitted the room. He saw the gentle face, so
full of deadly sorrow, with its white quivering lips; and yet he
thought to himself, although she looked stricken with anguish,
there was no guilt on the clear, fair brow.
He turned back from the door and went straight to Lord Earle.
"I shall leave Earlescourt tomorrow," he said, abruptly.
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