These are the reasons, these the feelings, which
impelled, I will not say justified, me to pass your threshold
under a feigned name. I entreat you to judge kindly of my
conduct; to pardon me: and not to make me feel the bitterness
that I have forfeited the good opinion of one for whom, under
all circumstances and in all situations, I must ever feel the
highest conceivable respect,--I would say a reverential
regard."
His tones of passionate emotion ceased. Sybil, with a
countenance beautiful and disturbed, gazed at him for an
instant, and seemed about to speak, but her trembling lips
refused the office; then with an effort, turning to Gerard,
she said, "My father, I am amazed; tell me, then, who is this
gentleman who addresses me?"
"The brother of Lord Marney, Sybil," said Gerard, turning to
her.
"The brother of Lord Marney!" repeated Sybil, with an air
almost of stupor.
"Yes," said Egremont: "a member of that family of sacrilege,
of those oppressors of the people, whom you have denounced to
me with such withering scorn."
The elbow of Sybil rested on the arm of her chair, and her
cheek upon her hand; as Egremont said these words she shaded
her face, which was thus entirely unseen: for some moments
there was silence.
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