( 364 )
couragement that he trembled with impatience to exchange for certainty. "At last,—at last,—may I," he cried, "under the sanction of a brother, presume upon obtaining a hearing with some little remittance of reserve? of mistrust?"
Juliet dropt her head.
"Will not Miss Granville be more gracious than Miss Ellis has been? Miss Granville can have no tie but what is voluntary: no hovering doubts, no chilling scruples, no fancied engagements—"
A half sigh, of too recent recollection, heaved the breast of Juliet.
"To plead," he continued, "against all confidence; to freeze every avenue to sympathy; to repel, or wound every rising hope! Miss Granville, is wholly independent; mistress of her heart, mistress of herself—"
"No, Mr. Harleigh, no!" with quickness, though with gentleness, interrupted Juliet.
Harleigh, momentarily startled, ven-