It seemed he was an enthusiastic antiquary, and
in particular a fanatic of heraldry. I heard it with delight, for
I was myself, thanks to M. de Culemberg, fairly grounded in that
science, and acquainted with the blazons of most families of note
in Europe. And I had made up my mind--even as she spoke, it was my
fixed determination, though I was a hundred miles from saying it--
to meet Flora on Monday night as a fellow-guest in Mr. Robbie's
house.
I gave her my money--it was, of course, only paper I had brought.
I gave it her, to be her marriage-portion, I declared.
'Not so bad a marriage-portion for a private soldier,' I told her,
laughing, as I passed it through the bars.
'O, Anne, and where am I to keep it?' she cried. 'If my aunt
should find it! What would I say!'
'Next your heart,' I suggested.
'Then you will always be near your treasure,' she cried, 'for you
are always there!'
We were interrupted by a sudden clearness that fell upon the night.
The clouds dispersed; the stars shone in every part of the heavens;
and, consulting my watch, I was startled to find it already hard on
five in the morning.
CHAPTER XXVII--THE SABBATH DAY
It was indeed high time I should be gone from Swanston; but what I
was to do in the meanwhile was another question. Rowley had
received his orders last night: he was to say that I had met a
friend, and Mrs.
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