Mrs. Gordon had removed Katherine's veil and cloak, and considerately

withdrawn to a mirror at the extremity of the room, where she appeared

to be altogether occupied with her own ringlets. But, indeed, it was

with Katherine and Hyde one of those supreme hours when love conquers

every other feeling. Before the whole world they would have avowed their

affection, their pity, and their truth.

Hyde could speak little, but there was no need of speech. Had he not

nearly died for her? Was not his very helplessness a plea beyond the

power of words? She had only to look at the white shadow of humanity

holding her hand, and remember the gay, gallant, handsome soldier who

had wooed her under the water-beeches, to feel that all the love of her

life was too little to repay his devotion. And so quickly, so quickly,

went the happy moments! Ere Katherine had half said, "I love thee," Mrs.

Gordon reminded her that it was near the noon; "and I have an excellent

plan," she continued; "you can leave my veil and cloak in the coach, and

I will leave you at the first convenient place near your home. At the

turn of the road, one sees nobody but your excellent father or brother,

or perhaps Justice Van Gaasbeek, all of whom we may avoid, if you will

but consider the time."

"Then we must part, my Katherine, for a little. When will you come

again?"

This was a painful question, because Katherine felt, that, however she

might excuse herself for the unforeseen stress of pity that all unaware

had hurried her into this interview, she knew she could not find the

same apology for one deliberate and prearranged.

"Only once more," Hyde pleaded. "I had, my Katherine, so many things to

say to you. In my joy, I forgot all. Come but once more. Upon my honour,

I promise to ask Katherine Van Heemskirk only this once. To-morrow?

'No.' Two days hence, then?"

"Two days hence I will come again. Then no more."

He smiled at her, and put out his hands; and she knelt again by his

side, and kissed her "farewell" on his lips. And, as she put on again

her cloak and veil, he drew a small volume towards him, and with

trembling hands tore out of it a scrap of paper, and gave it to her.

Under the lilac hedge that night she read it, read it over and

over,--the bit of paper made almost warm and sentient by Phoedria's

tender petition to his beloved,-"When you are in company with that other man, behave as if you were

absent; but continue to love me by day and by night; want me, dream of

me, expect me, think of me, wish for me, delight in me, be wholly with

me; in short, be my very soul, as I am yours."




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024