"
"And thou dost not know that the battle of hearts is much deadlier
than that of arms?"
"I do not know; but thou seemest like a warrior of olden time. And for
thee to love me!"
"Is it enough? Wilt thou give thyself to me?" There was a silence so
long and unbroken Katherine was made to realize that her reply was
not to be lightly uttered, so she answered with all the strength of a
plaything of caprice,--
"If thou wilt have it so, Sir Julian, I will be thine."
She had hardly finished, when he laid his lips, to her astonishment,
coldly and with formal grace upon her forehead.
"I will not ask thee if thou lovest me, but will say instead dost
think thou mayest?"
"But I think I love thee now--"
"Nay, sweet Mistress, thou dost not--" A look of fear came into her
eyes. Had Lord Cedric told her confessions? Nay, nay! he would not,
she knew.
"How dost come by so much knowledge?" she said, coquettishly.
"I have ascertained by subtleness, but--let it pass. Let us talk of
thee now. When wilt thou marry me? If thou art kind, thou wilt say at
once.
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