"It is very difficult, Mr. Woodward," she replied, "to know the heart;
I request, however, a direct and a serious answer, for I can assure you
that I am about to place the deepest possible confidence in your faith
and honor."
"O," he exclaimed, "that is sufficient; in such a case I feel bound to
respect your confidence as sacred; do not hesitate to confide in me. Let
me perish a thousand times sooner than abuse such a trust. Speak out,
Miss Goodwin."
"It is necessary that I should," she replied, "both for your sake and my
own. Know, then, that my heart is not at my own disposal; it is engaged
to another."
"I can only listen, Miss Goodwin--I can only listen--but--but--excuse
me--proceed."
"My heart, as I said, is engaged to another--and that other is your
brother Charles."
Woodward fixed his eyes upon her face--already scarlet with blushes, and
when she ventured to raise hers upon him, she beheld a countenance sunk
apparently in the deepest sorrow.
"Alas! Miss Goodwin," he replied, "you have filled my heart with a
double grief. I could resign you--of course it would and must be with
the most inexpressible anguish--but to resign you to such a--.
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