"I was going to look after the wounded Friar," he said, and
then he saw her tearful eyes, and she exclaimed, "I could not help
it! I could not stay. You would say such things. O, Duke! Duke!"
It was the first time she had used the familiar old name, but she did
not know what she said. He put her into a great carved chair, and
knelt on one knee by her, saying, "Poor Rogers, I wish he had let it
alone. It was hard for my mother and Cecil."
"Then how could you go on and break all our hearts!" sobbed Babie.
"It will make a better beginning for Cecil. I want them to learn to
look to him. I thought every one knew that each month I am here is
like an extra time granted after notice, and that it was no shock to
any one to look forward to that fine young couple."
"Oh, don't! I can't bear it," she exclaimed, weeping bitterly.
"Don't grieve, dearest. I have tried hard, but I find I cannot do my
work as it ought to be done. People are very kind, but I am content,
when the time comes, to leave it to one to whom it will not be such
effort and weariness. This is really one of the most gladsome days
of my life. Won't you believe it?"
"I know unselfish people are happy."
"And do you know that you are giving me the sweetest drop of all,
today?" said Fordham, giving one shy, fervent kiss to the hand that
clasped the arm of the chair just as sounds of ascending steps caused
them to start asunder and go their separate ways.
Pages:
777
778
779
780
781
782
783
784
785
786
787
788
789
790
791
792
793
794
795
796
797
798
799
800
801