The six sisters of the valleys : an historical romance - University Library

THE HAWK AXD THE DOVE. 175
girl on a dark night by accident ! I snspect
that he is jour lover. Do you not love
him ? Come, confess now."
" I never asked myself the question. 1
grant I feel a drawing towards him ; but
then he is of a different creed, and I pro-
mised my mother on her death-bed that I
would never wed a Roman Catholic."
" Yes, but where the heart's concerned,
promises are like ropes of sand. I thought,
dear Ardoine, that you loved Raynald.
Poor Eaynald, I am sure he loves you;
indeed, I confess I began to feel somewhat
jealous when he could do nothing else but
talk to me about you. He is a fine noble
fellow—so tall and handsome ;
and how his
heart will grieve when he knows you do not
love hhn, but love a stranger ! I should
not wonder if he were to commit suicide.
Ask yourself if you have never encouraged
him ? Will it be rio-ht to neglect him, and
risk your happiness with a stranger ?"
Ardoine sighed deeply, but made no