I cannot realize at all that you are a stranger to me!"
Leoline laughed:
"Nor I; though, for that matter, you are not a stranger to me,
Sir Norman!"
"Am I not? How is that!"
"I have seen you go past so often, you know; and Prudence told me
who you were; and so I need - I used - " hesitating and glowing
to a degree before which her dress paled.
"Well, dearest," said Sir Norman, getting from the positive to
the superlative at a jump, and diminishing the distance between
them, "you need to - what?"
"To watch for you!" said Leoline, in a sly whisper. "And so I
have got to know you very well!"
"My own darling! And, O Leoline! may I hope - dare I hope - that
you do not altogether hate me?"
Leoline looked reflective; though her bleak eyes were sparkling
under their sweeping lashes.
"Why, no," she said, demurely, "I don't know as I do. It's very
sinful and improper to hate one's fellow-creatures, you know, Sir
Norman, and therefore I don't indulge in it."
"Ah! you are given to piety, I see. In that case, perhaps you
are aware of a precept commanding us to love our neighbors. Now,
I'm your nearest neighbor at present; so, to keep up a consistent
Christian spirit, just be good enough to say you love me!"
Again Leoline laughed; and this time the bright, dancing eyes
beamed in their sparkling darkness fall upon him.
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