I am sure he loves you--I think he will consent; but
then my mother----!"
She paused, ashamed to express the doubt she felt how far her father
dared to form any positive resolution on this most important subject
without the consent of his lady.
"Your mother, my Lucy!" replied Ravenswood. "She is of the house of
Douglas, a house that has intermarried with mine even when its glory
and power were at the highest; what could your mother object to my
alliance?"
"I did not say object," said Lucy; "but she is jealous of her rights,
and may claim a mother's title to be consulted in the first instance."
"Be it so," replied Ravenswood. "London is distant, but a letter will
reach it and receive an answer within a fortnight; I will not press on
the Lord Keeper for an instant reply to my proposal."
"But," hesitated Lucy, "were it not better to wait--to wait a few weeks?
Were my mother to see you--to know you, I am sure she would approve;
but you are unacquainted personally, and the ancient feud between the
families----"
Ravenswood fixed upon her his keen dark eyes, as if he was desirous of
penetrating into her very soul.
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