" She was serious now.
"Then, Morgianna, who was it?" he asked impulsively. She was silent. He
waited but a second or two and went on. "Some one surely stood in the
way of our--my happiness. I had hoped that you did not despise me. I
scarce dared to think you loved me, but it was some one,--who stood
in my way?"
Her cheek grew crimson as the rich blood mounted to neck and face, and
in a voice scarce audible she answered:
"No one!"
"Morgianna!" he whispered, "dare I hope--dare I for one minute--" he had
risen to his feet and was standing at her side with wildly beating
heart. She made no answer, but her long drooping lashes almost concealed
her eyes, as she gazed on the floor.
He advanced a step nearer, bent over and took one little trembling hand
in his own. She did not attempt to withdraw it this time, and, gently
slipping his disengaged arm about her waist, he murmured:
"Morgianna!"
Still she was silent. He went on:
"You know how I have loved you all these years;--you must have known how
I have suffered and braved dangers untold. I sought--defied death,
because I deemed you lost. I spared the man I thought my rival, because
I believed you loved him. Though a young man, there are gray hairs in my
head, for it has been a living death since that night, Morgianna. Why
have you----"
"Oh, don't, don't!" she plead, tears starting to her beautiful eyes.
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