"Adorable girl, I have long loved you to desperation.

Your lamented mother, whose loss I shall ever deplore, perceived my passion and encouraged it.

Would she were alive to back my suit!" "This is beyond all endurance," said Winifred, striving to withdraw her hand.

"Leave me, Sir; I insist." "Never!" rejoined Kneebone, with increased ardour,--"never, till I receive from your own lips the answer which is to make me the happiest or the most miserable of mankind.

Hear me, adorable girl! You know not the extent of my devotion.