"As for your sorrow - why,
if it will afford you solace - you may still count on me to do what
man can to rescue him from this position."
She caught her breath.
"You will do that!" she cried with sudden eager hopefulness. "You
promise?" She held out her hand to him impulsively. He took it in
both his own.
"I promise," he answered her. And then, retaining still the hand
she had surrendered to him - "Arabella," he said very gently, "there
is still this other matter upon which you have not answered me."
"This other matter?" Was he mad, she wondered.
Could any other matter signify in such a moment.
"This matter that concerns myself; and all my future, oh, so very
closely. This thing that Blood believed, that prompted him..., that
... that you are not indifferent to me." He saw the fair face change
colour and grow troubled once more.
"Indifferent to you?" said she. "Why, no. We have been good
friends; we shall continue so, I hope, my lord."
"Friends! Good friends?" He was between dismay and bitterness.
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