How tenderly I love you, even as I could love a pure and gentle sister.

But--" He paused, for he saw that Edith's face had become very pale; and that she rather gasped for air than breathed.
"Are you sick ?" he asked, in a voice of anxiety.
Edith was recovering herself.
"No," she replied, faintly.
A deep silence, lasting for the space of nearly half a minute, followed.

By this time the maiden, through a forced effort, had regained the command of her feelings.

Perceiving this, Edwin resumed-- "As I said, Edith, I love you as I could love a pure and gentle sister.

Will you accept this love?
Will you be to me a friend--a sister ?" Again there passed upon the countenance of Edith a deadly pallor; while her lips quivered, and her eyes had a strange expression.