"Lord Farnborough's visit is connected with _myself_; I know it as surely as if I heard the words spoken. I know I have so much to endure from my mother!" "But you are mine, Chrystal; and who can take you from me now? Are you not my own, my very own?" "I know it: I feel secure of _you_; but my mother will say such harsh things!" "Fear not, my beloved. If we are true to each other, surely we can endure a little trial of patience." Yes, he spoke truly. Christobelle could endure a long, long trial for _his_ love. She could suffer a protracted misery, to deserve a heart so excellent. She had, too, a dear hope to sustain her, for her father approved her sentiments, and he would shelter her from the harsh reproaches of her mother's ambitious spirits: she could meet her lover's entreaty to be patient with smiles. She told him she would endure all things with firmness--that she would not anticipate evil. She called upon him to rejoice with her in her father's approval, and she told him of her interview and confession. How swiftly did their short _tête-à-tête_ glide by! and how delightedly did Christobelle listen to his fears respecting Lord Farnborough! "But why did you not tell _me_ all this? Why did you suppose such incredible things in silence--to leave me in such cruel and useless suspense? Oh, Spottiswoode, _one_ word yesterday morning, and all this had been spared us!" "No, I was silenced by your mother for ever, in our morning lounge upon the terrace. Had you not disclaimed all idea of Lord Farnborough this morning, and had not hope rushed into my heart unbidden, by the confession of your misery, I had never dared to breathe a word of my sentiments. I believed you loved Lord Farnborough." "She could not tell you _that_! Surely my mother did not tell you so--oh! she never told you I cared for _him_!" Christobelle shuddered at the thought; but the encircling arms of her lover restrained the movement which impelled her to start from her chair. "I was assured your heart was on the point of acknowledging Lord Farnborough's power, Chrystal--and your mother spoke in terms of proud approval." "Oh, my mother, my mother!" exclaimed Christobelle, weeping at the thought of her cruel policy; "I might have been sacrificed for ever to your ambitious wishes! I should have been given in utter wretchedness to a man I did not love, and consigned to hopeless misery!" "Weep not, dearest," said her companion, "and I will tell you how your presence shall brighten and bless the scenes of my solitary wanderings at Alverton--how it shall illumine my future life, and reward me for my patient waiting. Did you but know, my love, how I feared you would be appropriated, ere I could claim an interest in your heart, and, yet, how firmly I resolved to leave you to the working of its own resolves, you would pity and love me for my resolution."