'Emily!' said he, 'this, this moment is the bitterest that is yet come to me.

You do not--cannot love me!--It would be impossible for you to reason thus coolly, thus deliberately, if you did.

I, _I_ am torn with anguish at the prospect of our separation, and of the evils that may await you in consequence of it; I would encounter any hazards to prevent it--to save you.

No! Emily, no!--you cannot love me.' 'We have now little time to waste in exclamation, or assertion,' said Emily, endeavouring to conceal her emotion: 'if you are yet to learn how dear you are, and ever must be, to my heart, no assurances of mine can give you conviction.' The last words faltered on her lips, and her tears flowed fast.

These words and tears brought, once more, and with instantaneous force, conviction of her love to Valancourt.