Page:Tales of Three Cities (Boston, James R. Osgood & Co., 1884).djvu/177

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LADY BARBERINA.
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his features expressed a mind—a mind that would be rather superior. She would never have taken him for a doctor; though, indeed, when all was said, that was very negative, and did n't account for the way he imposed himself.

"Why, then, did you come?" she asked, in answer to his last speech.

"Because it seems to me after all better to see you in this way than not to see you at all; I want to know you better."

"I don't think I ought to stay here," said Lady Barberina, looking round her.

"Don't go till I have told you I love you," murmured the young man.

She made no exclamation, indulged in no start; he could not see even that she changed color. She took his request with a noble simplicity, with her head erect and her eyes lowered.

"I don't think you have a right to tell me that."

"Why not?" Jackson Lemon demanded. "I wish to claim the right; I wish you to give it to me."

"I can't—I don't know you. You have said it yourself."

"Can't you have a little faith? That will help us to know each other better. It 's disgusting, the want of opportunity; even at Pasterns I could scarcely get a walk with you. But I have the greatest faith in you. I feel that I love you, and I could n't do more than that at the end of six months. I love your beauty—I love you from head to foot. Don't move,