"Never," cried Lord Effingham. "Why talk of Lady Desmond? I never loved her--I may have admired her. I may have liked to feel my power over a proud spirit; but you, and you only, have I ever loved--loved with all the energy of my better nature; hear me, Kate!" and he threw himself at her feet; "do not turn from me with such repugnance--I will wait patiently till you think differently of me. I have overcome difficulties for far lesser objects; for you I will conquer myself--speak to me. I have borne suspense long, in silence--can you love me?" "No," said Kate, deliberately drawing the hand he had seized, quickly from his grasp, "I cannot love you, for I cannot trust you; you think you love _me_, because you see you have no influence over my heart; Lord Effingham, you do not know what love is, you must change your nature first." "Ha," said he, quickly, and sullenly, "but you do, you love another." "I entreat of you to leave me, and end this distressing scene, I feel too shocked, too agitated to speak more to you; go, Lord Effingham, and let us not meet again." "I _will_ see you again, however," replied Lord Effingham. "Think, Miss Vernon, think, before you utterly reject me; I love you, I did not know I was capable of the love with which you have inspired me; I am cold and indifferent to the world, the warmth and tenderness of my inmost heart shall be lavished on you; you like to help those who are in distress; think what ample means of good would be at the disposal of the Countess of Effingham! What is there in me so repellant to you?" "This is useless my Lord, I have never thought of you even as a friend; yet I do not wish to speak harshly. You do not know the injury this unfortunate disclosure will prove to me--I--." "There can be no necessity to inform your cousin of what has passed. Let me come here as before, and endeavour to----." "No!" cried Kate, indignantly, "I have been too long, unconsciously, aiding deception that I abhor, and my first act, when we meet, shall be to inform my cousin most fully. Now go! I beg you will leave me, Lord Effingham," she added, with an air of decision and _hauteur_. "I obey you, but I do not, and will not consider the subject ended here." He drew nearer, looked at her a moment, and exclaimed, "No, I will not easily relinquish the brightest hope my life ever held out." Then turning away quickly, stepped through the window, descended from the verandah, and was out of sight before Kate could draw the long breath of relief with which she hailed his departure. She little knew the trial yet awaiting her, though she looked forward with no small dread to the task of disclosing this strange interview to her cousin.