Colleton, let nothing make you indifferent to the
warning I have given you. There is danger--more danger here to you than
to me--though, to me"--the tears filled in her eyes as she spoke, and
her head sunk down on her breast with an air of the saddest
self-abandonment--"there is more than death."
The youth again took her hand. He understood too well the signification
of her speech, and the sad sacrifice which it referred to; and an
interest in her fate was awakened in his bosom, which made him for a
moment forget himself and the gentle Edith of his own dreams.
"Command me, Miss Munro, though I peril my life in your behalf; say that
I can serve you in anything, and trust me to obey."
She shook her head mournfully, but without reply. Again he pressed his
services, which were still refused. A little more firmly, however, she
again urged his departure.
"My solicitations have no idle origin. Believe me, you are in danger,
and have but little time for delay. I would not thus hurry you, but that
I would not have you perish.
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