She seemed seized by some hysterical passion that convulsed her, and in mingled amazement, alarm and distress, I sprang to her and caught her hands in my own.
"Sibyl, Sibyl!" I said, "hush—hush! You are overwrought with fatigue and excitement,—you cannot know what you are saying. My darling, what do you take me for ?—what is all this nonsense in your mind about buying and selling? You know I love you,—I have made no secret of it,—you must have seen it in my face,—and if I have hesitated to speak, it is because I feared your rejection of me. You are too good for me Sibyl,—too good for any man,—I am not worthy to win your beauty and innocence. My love, my love, do not give way in this manner,"—for as I spoke she clung to me like a wild bird suddenly caged. "What can I say to you, but that I
