"
"My love, like yours, is past," she answered, with a faint smile; "but if I
were out of Herne's power I feel that I could love again, and far more
deeply than I loved before--for that, in fact, was rather the result of
vanity than of real regard."
"Mabel," said Wyat, taking her hand, and gazing into her eyes," if I set
you free, will you love me?"
"I love you already," she replied; "but if that could be, my whole life
should be devoted to you. Ha!" she exclaimed with a sudden change of
tone, "footsteps are approaching; it is Fenwolf. Hide yourself within
that recess."
Though doubting the prudence of the course, Wyat yielded to her
terrified and imploring looks, and concealed himself in the manner she
had indicated. He was scarcely ensconed in the recess, when the door
opened, and Morgan Fenwolf stepped in, followed by her grandfather.
Fenwolf gazed suspiciously round the little chamber, and then glanced
significantly at old Tristram, but he made no remark.
"What brings you here?" demanded Mabel tremblingly.
"You are wanted in the cave," said Fenwolf.
"I will follow you anon," she replied.
"You must come at once," rejoined Fenwolf authoritatively.
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