364 THE SMUGGLER. 



follow; and now I leave you, to serve your sister and my 

 friend to the best of my power." 



Thus saying, he raised her hand to his lips, kissed it, and 

 moved towards the door. 



There was a sad struggle in Zara's breast; but as he was 

 laying his hand upon the lock, to open it, she said, " Digby 

 Digby Edward!" 



He instantly turned, and ran towards her; for her face had 

 become very pale. She gave him her hand at once, however : 

 "Kind, generous man!" she said, "you must not go without 

 hearing my answer. Such a pledge cannot be all on one part. 

 I am yours, Digby, if you wish it; yet know me better first 

 before you answer; see all my faults, and all my failings. 

 Even this must show you how strange a being I am: how un- 

 like other girls, how unlike, perhaps, the woman you would 

 wish to call your wife I" 



"Wish it I" answered Digby, casting his arm round her. 

 " from my heart, from my very soul, Zara. I know enough, 

 I have seen enough, for I have seen you in circumstances that 

 bring forth the bosom's inmost feelings; and though you are 

 unlike others, and I have watched many in their course: that 

 very dissimilarity is to me the surpassing charm. They are 

 all art, you are all nature, ay, and nature in its sweetest and 

 most graceful form ; and I can boldly say, I never yet saw 

 woman whom I should desire to call my wife till I saw you. 

 I will not wait, dear girl; but pledged to you as you are 

 pledged to me, will not press this subject further on you, till 

 your sister's fate is sealed. I must, indeed, speak with your 

 father at once, that there may be no mistake, no misappre- 

 hension ; but till all this sad business is settled, we are brother 

 and sister, Zara; and then a dearer bond." 



" Oh! yes, yes; brother and sister 1" cried Zara, clinging to 

 him at the name which takes fear from woman's heart, " so 

 will we be, Edward; and now all my doubts and hesitations 

 will be at an end. I shall never fear more to seek you when 

 it is needful." 



" And my suit will be an excuse and a reason to all others, 

 for free interviews, and solitary rambles, and private confe- 

 rence, and every dear communion," answered Digby, pleased, 

 and yet almost amazed at the simplicity with which she lent 

 herself to the magic of a word, when the heart led her, 



