“I love you Hal,” she said; “I answer all your suggestions and my father’s pleadings and commands in those words. I will give my hand to no other, if not to you; and, oh! Hal,” she cried, with an impetuous burst of feeling, “I will cast away all the wealth which is to be mine, the station and its luxuries, to share your fate, whatever it may be--if you will have me. I look with fright and horror upon any other future. I can endure anything with you, submit with a smile to the frowns of fate, bear cheerfully any ills which may arise--you know, Hal, poverty ought not to scare me--I can bear troubles and trials with you, I can bear nothing if I am to be torn from you and given to another.” “My own darling Flora!” cried Hal, pressing her tenderly to his heart. A flush of heat rushed to his forehead and his cheeks. His heart beat rapidly, for it occurred to him that he had but to ask her now to return no more to her father’s home, but to give to him at once her hand, and thus set the machinations or the claims of all other lovers at defiance. It was a fearful moment of temptation. He drew a long breath. “Will you not, Flora, marry Lester Vane?” he said, in an undertone of deep earnestness. “I will die first, Hal,” she replied, with equal fervour. He pressed his hands to his throbbing temples. He laid his clenched fist upon his wildly-beating heart. He thought of Flora’s beauty and her tenderness. Then he thought, too, of her guileless innocence. A fearful struggle ensued between love, honour and duty. She would fly with him and give her hand to him at a word. That he knew. He so adored her, and his chances of obtaining her, save by elopement, were so very, very remote. The temptation was a sore one to wrestle with. CHAPTER IX.--THE REWARD OF FAITHFULNESS AND TRUTH. Work then with steadfast hope and hand; Yoke goodwill to the sturdy plough; Cut the deep furrow through the land; On high the ridges throw. So shall increase thy labours crown, And joy bring in thy harvest home; Yet faint not should thy fortunes frown, Thy harvest is to come. Constant in this, take heart and breath; These cannot fail whate’er befall--. Duty and Love, and Truth and Faith, And Pure-Intent withal. --Kington. Mark Wilton, with the impetuosity natural to his character, had, after his last interview with Lotte Clinton, determined, on leaving her residence, that another twenty-four hours should close his account with England and all it contained.