will—till then I should commit a heavy sin in the sight of God and man, in doing what you require."
"But, my love, if this man remains obstinately silent"
"He will not be silent," answered Lucy; "it is six weeks since I sent him a double of my former letter by a sure hand."
"You have not—you could not—you durst not," said Lady Ashton, with violence inconsistent with the tone she had intended to assume; but, instantly correcting herself, "my dearest Lucy," said she, in her sweetest tone of expostulation, "how could you think of such a thing?"
"No matter," said Bucklaw; "I respect Miss Ashton for her sentiments, and I only wish I had been her messenger myself."
"And pray how long, Miss Ashton," said her mother ironically, "are we to wait the return of your Pacolet—your fairy messenger—since our humble couriers of flesh and blood could not be trusted in this matter?"
