him, and could, as a sister, love him; but he has never distinguished me as Arthur has. I owe him no gratitude, nor can I possibly feel the same kind of—of"
"Say love, my dear."
"Well, Sir Edward, to you (whom I love very, very dearly) I will say love; but I hope you believe I would not say so to himself."
"I'll be sworn you would not, my dear child, till the moment when you ought to do so; but since you confess your love to me, come and kiss me."
Georgiana did not hesitate a moment, for she generally kissed her uncle when she met him in the morning. Sir Edward, tenderly encircling her with his feeble arms, said, half playfully, half solemnly,
"With this kiss I thee wed, as the representative of my grandson, Arthur, in token whereof, I place on thy finger this ring, intreating thee never to look upon it without remembering that thou art united to him for better for worse, for richer or poorer; can you take it? think before you speak."
"I can take, and gladly will take, that plain gold ring upon your finger, as an emblem of my fidelity, but not the diamond ring; I have much love, but little ambition."
"My child, you must take that which I can give; my wedding ring must never leave my hand, but the other shall be yours. Our precious Arthur's profession places him always in peril, but come what will,
