Innocent : her fancy and his fact by Marie Corelli
page 113 of 503 (22%)
page 113 of 503 (22%)
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"Settle up things," he repeated, slowly, and with emphasis-- "Settle up things with Robin. No more beating about the bush! You talked to him long enough out of window last night, and mind you! --somebody was listening! That means mischief! _I_ don't blame you, poor wilding!--but remember, SOMEBODY WAS LISTENING! Now think of that and of your good name, child!--settle with Robin and we'll have the banns put up next Sunday." While he thus spoke the warm rose of her cheeks faded to an extreme pallor,--her very lips grew white and set. Her hurrying thoughts clamoured for utterance,--she could have expressed in passionate terms her own bitter sense of wrong and unmerited shame, but pity for the old man's worn and haggard look of pain held her silent. She saw and felt that he was not strong enough to bear any argument or opposition in his present mood, so she made no sort of reply, not even by a look or a smile. Quietly she went to the breakfast table, and busied herself in preparing his morning meal. He followed her and sat heavily down in his usual chair, watching her furtively as she poured out the tea. "Such little white hands, aren't they?" he said, coaxingly, touching her small fingers when she gave him his cup--"Eh, wilding? The prettiest lily flowers I ever saw! And one of them will look all the prettier for a gold wedding-ring upon it! Ay, ay! We'll have the banns put up on Sunday." Still she did not speak; once she turned away her head to hide the tears that involuntarily rose to her eyes. Old Hugo, meanwhile, began to eat his breakfast with the nervous haste of a man who |
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