"I never shall, dearest. Our troubles are over.""Edward, I have been very unhappy. I could not bear these doubts again.""You shall never be unhappy again."
"I must do what you require, I suppose. That is how it always ends. Oh dear! oh dear!""Zoe, it must be done. You know it must.""I warn you I shall do it as kindly as I can.""Of course you will. You ought to."
"I must go in now. I feel very cold."
"How soon to-morrow will you meet me here?""When you please," said she, languidly.
"At ten o'clock?"
"Yes."
Then there was a tender parting, and Zoe went slowly in. She went to her own room, just to think it all over alone. She caught sight of her face in the glass. Her cheeks had regained color, and her eyes were bright as stars. She stopped and looked at herself. "There now," said she, "and Iseem to myself to live again. I was mad to think I could ever love any man but him. He is my darling, my idol."There was no late dinner at Somerville Villa. Indeed, ladies, left to themselves, seldom dine late. Nature is strong in them, and they are hungriest when the sun is high. At seven o'clock Zoe Vizard was seated at her desk trying to write to Lord Uxmoor. She sighed, she moaned, she began, and dropped the pen and hid her face. She became almost wild; and in that state she at last dashed off what follows:
"DEAR LORD UXMOOR--For pity's sake, forgive the mad words I said to you today. It is impossible. I can do no more than admire and esteem you. My heart is gone from me forever. Pray forgive me, though I do not deserve it; and never see me nor look at me again. I ask pardon for my vacillation. It has been disgraceful; but it has ended, and I was under a great error, which I cannot explain to you, when I led you to believe Ihad a heart to give you. My eyes are opened. Our paths lie asunder. Pray, pray forgive me, if it is possible. I will never forgive myself, nor cease to bless and revere you, whom I have used so ill.