She is willing to marry him now merely on my account; for, to say in
words, what you no doubt understand, _I_ am at his mercy. If I perish
before the marriage take place, it will not take place; and she will
then need a protector--"
"Say no more," exclaimed the youth, as the landlord paused for an
instant--"say no more. It will be as little as I can say, when I assure
you, that all that my family can do for her happiness--all that I can
do--shall be done. Be at ease on this matter, and believe me that I
promise you nothing which my heart would not strenuously insist upon my
performing. She shall be a sister to me."
As he spoke, the landlord warmly pressed his hand, leaning forward from
his saddle as he did so, but without a single accompanying word. The
dialogue was continued, at intervals, in a desultory form, and without
sustaining, for any length of time, any single topic. Munro seemed heavy
with gloomy thoughts; and the sky, now becoming lightened with the
glories of the ascending moon, seemed to have no manner of influence
over his sullen temperament.
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