"Not from mercenary motives," she replied, earnestly; "not
because my father is wealthy, my home magnificent, and you belong
to another grade of society--not for that, but because I do not
love you. I never did love you as a girl should love the man she
means to marry."
"You are very candid," said he, bitterly; "pray, is there any one
else you love in this way?"
"That is beside the question," she replied, haughtily; "I am
speaking of you and myself. Hugh, if you will give me my freedom
if you will agree to forget the foolish promise of a foolish
child--I will respect and esteem you while I live; I shall bless
you every day; your name will be a sacred one enshrined in my
heart, your memory will be a source of pleasure to me. You shall
be my friend, Hugh, and I will be a true friend to you."
"Beatrice," he cried, "do not tempt me!"
"Yes, be tempted," she said; "let me urge you to be generous, to
be noble! See, Hugh, I have never prayed to any man--I pray to
you; I would kneel here at your feet and beseech you to release
me from a promise I never meant to give."
Her words touched him.
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