The tale was soon told, and as he poured into her ears the unwelcome tidings her tender heart was lacerated by each successive word. "And now, my own sweet Dorothy," he concluded, "you know all. I have told thee all the pitiful story. Would to God it had been a pleasant tale I had to tell thee, but alas! I have told thee but the truth." He looked fondly into her face, and wondered how often he would be permitted to see it more. It was deadly pale, and her lips quivered again as she endeavoured to keep them tightly closed. "John," she murmured, "in any matter but this I should obey them; but--but----" She broke down under the mental strain. It was a terrible struggle between conflicting affections, and, unable to sustain it, she would have fallen in a faint upon the ground had not the strong arms of her lover supported her. Manners laid her gently down upon the bank and sprinkled some water upon her, for they were on the slopes of the Wye, and in a few moments she mastered her feelings and opened her eyes. "I am dizzy," she apologetically exclaimed, as she saw the form of her beloved bending over her. "I shall be better soon." She fulfilled her prediction quickly, and when he would have led her back into the Hall she begged him to wait. "Nay, nay, John," she said, "the Lady Maude will soon devise a plan for separating us, but let us remain together while we may." "But, Doll, you are ill," he exclaimed, "and I must take good care of thee." "I should be worse were I severed from thee," she sweetly replied, "and, John, I have somewhat to tell thee." "Speak on then, sweet one." "You will be true to me, John, whatever happens?" she asked. She was timid to approach the subject, and blushed deeply at the sound of her own sweet voice. She had more than half a mind to take the words back lest they should strike a single pang into his heart, but they were spoken, and before she could enter into any explanation, he had bent down and kissed her. "My precious darling!" he passionately exclaimed. "I never could forget thee; thy name is written on my heart; I shall never cease to love thee. The saints forfend me, Doll. I were a miscreant indeed were I to play traitor to thy love." "I shall trust you, John," she replied, bestowing upon him a look of undisguised affection; "I do trust thee; I shall be happy in thy love. Whatever trouble comes I shall be happy, because I shall know your heart is trusty and true." "That it shall be, Doll," he cried, "a right trusty heart--though they do make thee wed Edward Stanley." "John!" she exclaimed quickly, flushing scarlet again, "have I not given my troth to thee? They shall not force me into it. You can trust me." "O, Doll. My love, my darling, it would break my heart to give thee up; but I must do it for the sake of thy happiness." Poor heart, he spoke but the truth, but he spoke it as bravely as he could. "Hush, John," Dorothy hastily broke in; "you must not say such things."