"
Greatly moved by this appeal, Jocelyn might have complied with it, but
Aveline again interposed.
"Not so, father," she cried. "The spirits of the just made perfect--and
of such is the friend you mention--would never approve of the design
with which you would link this young man, in consequence of a promise
rashly made. Discharge him from it, I entreat you."
Her energy shook even the Puritan's firmness.
"Be it as thou wilt, daughter," he said, after the pause of a few
moments, during which he waited for Jocelyn to speak; but, as the young
man said nothing, he rightly interpreted his silence,--"be it as thou
wilt, since he, too, wills it so. I give him back his promise. But let
me see him no more."
"Sir, I beseech you--" cried Jocelyn.
But he was cut short by the Puritan, who, turning from him
contemptuously, said to his daughter--"Let him depart immediately."
Aveline signed to the young man to go; but finding him remain
motionless, she took him by the hand, and led him some way along the
terrace. Then, releasing her hold, she bade him farewell!
"Wherefore have you done this?" inquired Jocelyn reproachfully.
"Question me not; but be satisfied I have acted for the best," she
replied. "O Jocelyn!" she continued anxiously, "if an opportunity should
occur to you of serving my father, do not neglect it."
"Be assured I will not," the young man replied. "Shall we not meet
again?" he asked, in a tone of deepest anxiety.
"Perhaps," she answered.
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