"You are angry with me without reason.

Have I not offered to swear to you an eternal friendship ?" Anne shook her head, and her lips parted with a curious expression.

"I do not swear so lightly, Lady Maude." "What if I were to avow to you that it is true ?--that I do love Lord Hartledon, deeply as it is known you love his brother," she added, dropping her voice--"would you believe me ?" Anne looked at the speaker's face, but could read nothing.

Was she in jest or earnest?
"No, I would not believe you," she said, with a smile.

"If you did love him, you would not proclaim it." "Exactly.