She laid her hand upon his arm, and he trembled at
the gentle touch.
"Hugh," she said, "do not be angry. You are a brave man; I know
that in all your life you never shrank from danger or feared
peril. The brave are always generous, always noble; think of
what I am going to say. Suppose that, by the exercise of any
power, you could really compel me to be your wife, what would it
benefit you? I should not love you, I tell you candidly. I
should detest you for spoiling my life--I would never see you.
What would you gain by forcing me to keep my promise?"
He made no reply. The wind bent the reeds, and the water came up
the bank with a long, low wash.
"I appeal to your generosity," she said--"your nobility of
character. Release me from a promise I made in ignorance; I
appeal to your very love for me--release me, that I may be
happy. Those who love truly," she continued, receiving no reply,
"never love selfishly. If I cared for any one as you do for me,
I should consider my own happiness last or all. If you love me,
release me, Hugh. I can never be happy with you."
"Why not?" he asked, tightening his grasp upon her arm.
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