Tell me
it is not so. Tell me you have not been so doubly false as to
love another, and I will try to do all you wish."
"Am I to live all my life unloved and unmarried?" she answered,
controlling her angry indignation by a strong effort, "because
when I was a lonely and neglected girl, I fell into your power?
I do not ask such a sacrifice from you. I hope you will love and
marry, and be happy."
"I shall not care," he said, "what happens after I am gone--it
will not hurt my jealous, angry heart then, Beatrice; but I
should not like to think that while you were my promised wife and
I was giving you my every thought, you were loving some one else.
I should like to believe you were true to me while you were my
own."
She made no answer, fearing to irritate him if she told the
truth, and scorning to deny the love that was the crowning
blessing of her life. His anger grew in her silence. Again the
dark flush arose in his face, and his eyes flamed with fierce
light.
Suddenly he caught sight of the gold locket she wore round her
neck, fastened by the slender chain.
"What is this thing you wear?" he asked, quickly.
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