Will you be content with the sanctuary ?" Gertrude bit her lip; tears came into her eyes.

She looked imploringly at him.

Had they been alone, she would have thrown herself into his arms and entreated him to disregard everything except their strong cleaving to one another.
"And will you keep a corner of your heart for me ?" She slowly gave him a painful look of acquiescence.

"Will you be brave, and sacrifice yourself to the poor man who loves you?
He will save you from useless solitude, or from a worldly marriage--I cannot bear to think of either as your fate." "I do not care for Mr.Erskine," she said, hardly able to control her voice; "but I will marry him if you wish it." "I do wish it earnestly, Gertrude." "Then, you have my promise," she said, again with some bitterness.
"But you will not forget me?
Erskine will have all but that--a tender recollection--nothing." "Can I do more than I have just promised ?" "Perhaps so; but I am too selfish to be able to conceive anything more generous.

Our renunciation will bind us to one another as our union could never have done." They exchanged a long look.