"
"Pray do not confound me with other people," said Zoe proudly. "If I am
curious, it is because I know you must have done many good things and
clever things; but you have too little vanity, or too much pride, to tell
them even to one who--esteems you, and could appreciate."
"I know you are as generous and noble as most people are narrow-minded,"
said Severne, enthusiastically; "and I have determined to tell you all
about myself."
Zoe's cheeks beamed with gratified pride and her eyes sparkled.
"Only, as I would not tell it to anybody but you, I must stipulate that
you will receive it in sacred confidence, and not repeat it to a living
soul."
"Not even to my brother, who loves you so?"
"Not even to him."
This alarmed the instinctive delicacy and modesty of a truly virgin soul.
"I am not experienced," said she. "But I feel I ought not to yield to
curiosity and hear from you anything I am forbidden to tell my brother.
You might as well say I must not tell my mother; for dear Harrington is
all the mother I have; and I am sure he is a true friend to you" (this
last a little reproachfully).
But for Severne's habitual self-command, he would have treated this
delicacy as ridiculous prudery; but he was equal to greater difficulties.
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