"It is Guy Fawkes." "I will not deny it," replied Viviana; "he is." "Hear me, then," exclaimed Chetham, who appeared inexpressibly relieved by the discovery he had made; "in my passage across the river with him last night, our conversation turned on the one subject ever nearest my heart, yourself,--and Guy Fawkes not only bade me not despair, but promised to aid my suit." "And he kept his word," replied Viviana, "for, while announcing your proposed visit, he urged me strongly in your behalf." "Then he knows not of your love for him ?" demanded Chetham.
"He not only knows it not, but never shall know it from me,--nor must he know it from you, sir," rejoined Viviana, energetically.
"Fear it not," said Chetham, sighing.

"It is a secret I shall carefully preserve." "And now that you are in possession of it," she answered, "I no longer feel your presence as a restraint.

Let me still regard you as a friend." "Be it so," replied Humphrey Chetham, mournfully; "and _as_ a friend let me entreat you to quit this place, and abandon your present associates.
I will not seek to turn your heart from Fawkes--nor will I try to regain the love I have lost.

But let me implore you to pause ere you irretrievably mix yourself up with the fortunes of one so desperate.

I am too well aware that he is engaged in a fearful plot against the State,--though I know not its precise nature." "You will not betray him ?" she cried.
"I will not, though he is my rival," returned Chetham.