“I thought, Wilton, that you had come to measure my finger for the ring,” and she held out her small fair hand towards him.

“Oh, would to Heaven, dear Laura,” he answered, pressing the hand that she had given to his lips—­“would to Heaven, that we had arrived at that point!—­But, Laura, you are smiling still.  You have heard some good news:  your father is pardoned:  is it not so?”

“No, Wilton, no,” she said, “not quite such good news as that.  But still the news I have heard is good news; but it is odd enough, Wilton, that I should have to tell it to you; and yet I am glad that it is so.”

She then detailed to him all that had occurred, as far as she had learned it from her father.  Wilton listened with surprise and astonishment; but, though at the joyful tidings of the Duke’s consent, and at the prospect of her so soon becoming his irrevocably, he could not restrain his joy, but clasped her in rapture to his heart, yet there was a feeling of indignation, ay, and of doubt and suspicion also, in regard to Lord Byerdale’s conduct, and his purposes, which mingled strangely with his satisfaction.

“Although, dear Laura,” he said, “although this is a blessed hope for ourselves, and also a blessed hope for your father, I cannot help saying that Lord Byerdale has acted very strangely in this business, and very ill.  It may be out of regard for me; but it is a sort of regard I do not understand; and, were it not that I am sure my dear Laura has never for a moment doubted me, I should say that he in some degree compromised my honour, by making that consent a condition of your father’s safety, which should only be granted to affection and esteem.”

Laura coloured slightly, to think that she had even doubted for an instant:  but Wilton went on, relaxing the graver look that had come over his countenance, and saying, “We must not, however, my dear Laura, refuse to take the happiness that is offered to us, unless, indeed, you should think it very, very terrible to give me this dear hand so soon; and even then I think my Laura would overcome such feelings, when they are to benefit her father.”

“I do not feel it so terrible, Wilton,” replied Lady Laura, “as I did ten minutes ago.  If I thought that you had made the condition, it would seem so much more as if you were a stranger to me, that it might be terrible.  But when I hear you speak as you do now, Wilton, I feel that I could trust myself with you anywhere, that I could go away with you at any moment, perfectly secure of my future happiness; and so I reply, Wilton, that I am not only willing, but very willing.”

“We must lose no time, then, dear Laura,” replied Wilton, “in making all our arrangements.  I must now, indeed, have the measure of that small finger, and I must speed away to Lord Byerdale with all haste, in order to learn the means that are to be employed for your father’s escape.  I must inquire a little, too, into his motives, Laura, and add some reproaches for his having so compromised me.”