Paul drew her close , saying wistfully , as he caressed the beautiful sightless face leaning on his shoulder , '' Mia cara , would it break your heart , if at the last hour I gave up all and let the word remain unspoken ? My courage fails me , and in spite of the hard past I would gladly leave them in peace . '' `` No , no , you shall not give it up ! '' cried Helen almost fiercely , while the slumbering fire of her southern nature flashed into her face . `` You have waited so long , worked so hard , suffered so much , you must not lose your reward . You promised , and you must keep the promise . '' `` But it is so beautiful , so noble to forgive , and return a blessing for a curse . Let us bury the old feud , and right the old wrong in a new way . Those two are so blameless , it is cruel to visit the sins of the dead on their innocent heads . My lady has suffered enough already , and Lillian is so young , so happy , so unfit to meet a storm like this . Oh , Helen , mercy is more divine than justice . '' Something moved Paul deeply , and Helen seemed about to yield , when the name of Lillian wrought a subtle change in her . The color died out of her face , her black eyes burned with a gloomy fire , and her voice was relentless as she answered , while her frail hands held him fast , `` I will not let you give it up . We are as innocent as they ; we have suffered more ; and we deserve our rights , for we have no sin to expiate . Go on , Paul , and forget the sentimental folly that unmans you . '' Something in her words seemed to sting or wound him . His face darkened , and he put her away , saying briefly , `` Let it be so then . In an hour we must go . '' On the evening of the same day , Lady Trevlyn and her daughter sat together in the octagon room at the Hall . Twilight was falling and candles were not yet brought , but a cheery fire blazed in the wide chimney , filling the apartment with a ruddy glow , turning Lillian 's bright hair to gold and lending a tinge of color to my lady 's pallid cheeks .
The girl sat on a low lounging chair before the XXXXX , her head on her hand , her eyes on the red embers , her thoughts -- where ?
Helen Lillian Trevlyn Twilight cara fire hour right storm tinge