"`Why do you tempt me?' I said; for it seemed that now the time had come when I might speak. `Do you think that I could live without you? and do you not know that since the day when we first met my every thought has been of you, and that I have vainly struggled to free myself? You will believe me now--now that we are, perhaps, within a few minutes to stand in the presence of our Maker. Isa, I love you with a pure and holy love--a love that makes me, despairing as I am of ever possessing you in this life, look forward to the prospect of being with you in death,' I whispered, as I held her more tightly. `You know little of me, but you know, perhaps, the sad misfortunes of our families, and how it seems that by some strange intervention of fate my heart has been led to you.' "She was silent, but her arms once more rested upon my shoulder, and her sweet innocent, girlish face was close to mine, as there, chilled to the heart with the icy water, I asked her to forgive me my declaration, and kissed her pale lips again and again. "It was then that--urged once more by the strong desire for life--I tried once more to utter a cry or two for help; and, five minutes after, that help was at hand." Brace Norton was silent now for a few minutes; and then, as if in answer to his mother's look, he said: "Must I, then, go?" "Yes, Brace--yes. Your father leaves in an hour. It will be far better. Only for a few days, till she recovers and is removed." "But may I not see her first?" he pleaded. "Brace, my dear boy," said Mrs Norton, proudly, "would it be honourable to take advantage of her position here? Too much has already passed for your peace of mind. Go, now; and leave the house free to Sir Murray Gernon to come and go untouched in his sensitiveness. You must fight still, and bravely, too." Without another word the young man slowly left the room; and before an hour had elapsed Captain Norton and his son were on their way to Marshton. Book 2, Chapter XI. A DISCOVERY. Ten days elapsed before Dr Challen gave his consent for Isa to be removed, and during that time she had been carefully tended by Mrs Norton and Jane McCray, who had made her way to the Hall as soon as she heard of the accident. But two days would have been sufficient to have shown to Mrs Norton the character of the gentle, inartificial girl, whose gratitude was extreme for every act of attention she received. Hour after hour would Mrs Norton sit by her bedside watching her sleep; but once, and once only, came a dread suspicion that made her heart leap with agony.