----I am sworn brother now
To grim Necessity; and he and I
Will keep a league till death.
SHAKSPEARE
"My blood seems to curdle in my veins," murmured Constance, as she
rubbed the palm of one hand against the back of the other; "my very
blood seems to curdle in my veins, and a shadow, as of the vampire's
wing, is over me. But why is this? Is God less present with me here than
beneath the heavenly atmosphere I have just now breathed?" And then she
uttered a few words of prayer, so earnestly, that Burrell had entered
the room before she was aware of his presence.
"You are not well," he observed, seating himself in a chair beside that
into which she had sunk: "I hope I do not disturb you unpleasantly. You
keep watch too anxiously by your father's couch."
"I am better now," she replied; "but that of which you speak, my thought
of the living and the dead, although it may have somewhat touched my
health, has been my happiest duty."
"Perhaps you would rather hear what I have to say to-morrow," he
observed, a momentary feeling of sympathy forcing itself upon his mind,
as he noticed her white lip, and still whiter cheek.
"I pray you, sir," she replied proudly, "to proceed: I am as ready now
as I can be on the morrow to listen to aught it may be your pleasure to
advance. Your observations, if it please you, now."
"I have no 'observations' to offer, Mistress Cecil,--may I say
Constance? for so I used to call you in the early days of our
betrothment,--though I have much to request. I confess, I have felt
hurt, and aggrieved, at the small show of courtesy you have vouchsafed
me; but, as I believe that sorrow, and an habitual reserve, have wrought
this manner, I do not blame, though I regret it deeply. The time, I
hope, fair lady, is not far distant when you will ratify my claim to
your hand; then the devotedness of my future life,--the entireness of
my attachment,--the depth of my love----"
"Sir Willmott Burrell," interrupted Constantia, "the grass upon my
mother's grave is not yet green; and would you talk of love?"
For a moment the knight was silent.
"Reasons--reasons that I will explain hereafter, make me exceedingly
desire that the contract should be immediately fulfilled. Nay, lady, do
not start, and shudder," he continued, taking her hand, that hung
listlessly, and without motion, within his grasp; "even should you not
love as I do, affection will make you all mine own, within a little
time."