"By saying to me: 'You are free. I took advantage of your youth and innocence; I am sorry for it. You are free! Forgive me the wrong that has been done, and let us friends.' If you would do that, Lord Vivianne, even now I should like you with a warm, true liking." He was silent for a few minutes; her appeal had touched him greatly. Looking at him, she saw that his face had softened. Impulsively she laid a warm, soft hand on his. "I never thought to use words of persuasion to you," she said. "I never thought to plead or to pray to you, but I do so now: be kind to me, and let me go free." He was tempted for one minute; but that warm, soft hand crept like fire through his veins, his pulses thrilled, his heart beat. Give her up!--this fair woman whose beauty maddened him! No! never, never--come what might! "I would not release you, Dora. I would not give you up, if every angel, and every fiend combined, tried to take you from me!" CHAPTER LXXV. "HEAVEN SAVE EARLE!" "August at last," said Lady Linleigh; "it is the first to-day. Not long now, Doris, until the tenth." "No; not long," was the reply. "Everything is ready and waiting at Hyde House," continued the countess; "the whole of your _trousseau_ is ready, and a more magnificent one was never designed." "I am more than satisfied with it," said the young beauty, "What time will Mattie Brace be here, Lady Linleigh?" "About noon. I shall send the carriage to the station." "I will drive my pretty ponies," said Doris, eagerly. "I have only used them once since papa gave them to me. She will be so pleased if I meet her." "It is well thought of, my dear," said Lady Estelle. "Doris, do you know what I have done?" "No, something kind and nice, like yourself; I know by the sound of your voice." "I have ordered a very nice little _trousseau_ for Mattie--dresses that will not be unsuited to her at home, yet will do for her to wear here. I shall be so lonely when you are gone that I thought of asking her to remain here. I shall miss you so much, Doris." "And I shall miss you, dear Lady Linleigh. I never thought when you came home to my father's house, that I should learn to love you so dearly." Lady Linleigh clasped her arms round the girl's neck. "Tell me one thing," she said, caressingly; "do you think I have been as kind to you as your own mother would have been?" "I do not think, dear Lady Linleigh; I am quite sure," she replied. "It is an odd fancy of mine," said the countess, with a wistful smile, "but I have always been so fond of children. I have such a longing to hear a child call me mother. Doris--you will have left me in ten days. Will you kiss me, and say, 'Heaven bless you, my own mother?'" "Of course I will. Heaven bless you, my own dear mother; you have been one to me. You have helped me in every little trouble and perplexity; you have been kind to me, without ceasing. Why, Lady Linleigh, your face is wet with tears!"