"Ask yourself, acquainted as you are with both natures," persisted De

Guerre, "if one like Mistress Cecil could love such as Sir Willmott

Burrell?"

"I grant the apparent impossibility of the case; but mark ye, it is

easier to believe in the existence of impossibilities, paradoxical as

such a phrase may sound, than to fathom the mind of a woman, when she

pleases to make secret what is passing within her, or when she has taken

some great charge into her heart. Howbeit, whether she loves Sir

Willmott or not, she is little likely to love one who seeks, like you,

the ruin of his country."

"The ruin of my country!" repeated the Cavalier.

"Even so: dissatisfied with present things in England, you cannot deny

that you hunger and thirst after a Restoration, as the souls of the

Israelites thirsted after the luxuries of Egypt, and would have endured

a second bondage to have tasted of them again. Young man, you should

know that those who bring war into their country care little for its

prosperity."

"I shall not deny that I desire a change in this afflicted kingdom," he

replied; "but as to bringing war again into England, those who first

drew the sword should think of that."

Major Wellmore knit his brows, and looked fixedly at the Cavalier. Then,

after a few moments' pause, recommenced the conversation, without,

however, withdrawing his eyes from their scrutiny.

"We will again talk of your own individual affairs, good youth; for we

are not likely to agree upon the political bearing of this land. You

believe that Mistress Constance is but little affected towards the man

she is about to marry?"

"Affected towards him!" repeated Walter, kindling at the idea. "Unless

affected by deep hatred, nothing else affects her, as far as he is

concerned. I could swear to the truth of that conviction, on the

Saviour's Cross--on the hilt of my own sword, were it necessary."

"Which it is not," observed the Major. "But how reconcile you that with

the high opinion you entertain of the lady?"

"I cannot reconcile it. If I could, I should feel almost at peace with

her and with myself. It is mystery all--except that the accursed bridal

will be the stepping-stone to her grave! That is no mystery."

"You would prevent this marriage?"

"Yes, truly, were my heart's blood to rush forth in so doing; if," he

added sorrowfully, "its prevention could be indeed accomplished;--but it

is too late now."




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