But Zenobia seemed unable to rest content with the matter in the
posture which it had assumed.
"Ah! do we part so?" exclaimed she, seeing Hollingsworth about to
retire.
"And why not?" said he, with almost rude abruptness. "What is there
further to be said between us?"
"Well, perhaps nothing," answered Zenobia, looking him in the face, and
smiling. "But we have come many times before to this gray rock, and we
have talked very softly among the whisperings of the birch-trees. They
were pleasant hours! I love to make the latest of them, though not
altogether so delightful, loiter away as slowly as may be. And,
besides, you have put many queries to me at this, which you design to
be our last interview; and being driven, as I must acknowledge, into a
corner, I have responded with reasonable frankness. But now, with your
free consent, I desire the privilege of asking a few questions, in my
turn."
"I have no concealments," said Hollingsworth.
"We shall see," answered Zenobia. "I would first inquire whether you
have supposed me to be wealthy?"
"On that point," observed Hollingsworth, "I have had the opinion which
the world holds."
"And I held it likewise," said Zenobia. "Had I not, Heaven is my
witness the knowledge should have been as free to you as me. It is
only three days since I knew the strange fact that threatens to make me
poor; and your own acquaintance with it, I suspect, is of at least as
old a date. I fancied myself affluent. You are aware, too, of the
disposition which I purposed making of the larger portion of my
imaginary opulence,--nay, were it all, I had not hesitated. Let me ask
you, further, did I ever propose or intimate any terms of compact, on
which depended this--as the world would consider it--so important
sacrifice?"
"You certainly spoke of none," said Hollingsworth.
"Nor meant any," she responded. "I was willing to realize your dream
freely,--generously, as some might think,--but, at all events, fully,
and heedless though it should prove the ruin of my fortune. If, in your
own thoughts, you have imposed any conditions of this expenditure, it
is you that must be held responsible for whatever is sordid and
unworthy in them. And now one other question. Do you love this girl?"
"O Zenobia!" exclaimed Priscilla, shrinking back, as if longing for the
rock to topple over and hide her.