'O, Lady Constantine,' he continued, bending over her, 'give me some
proof more than mere seeming and inference, which are all I have at
present, that you don't think this I tell you of presumption in me!
I have been unable to do anything since I last saw you for pondering
uncertainly on this. Some proof, or little sign, that we are one in
heart!'
A blush settled again on her face; and half in effort, half in
spontaneity, she put her finger on her cheek. He almost
devotionally kissed the spot.
'Does that suffice?' she asked, scarcely giving her words voice.
'Yes; I am convinced.'
'Then that must be the end. Let me drive on; the boy will be back
again soon.' She spoke hastily, and looked askance to hide the heat
of her cheek.
'No; the tower door is open, and he will go to the top, and waste
his time in looking through the telescope.'
'Then you should rush back, for he will do some damage.'
'No; he may do what he likes, tinker and spoil the instrument,
destroy my papers,--anything, so that he will stay there and leave
us alone.'
She glanced up with a species of pained pleasure.
'You never used to feel like that!' she said, and there was keen
self-reproach in her voice. 'You were once so devoted to your
science that the thought of an intruder into your temple would have
driven you wild.
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