For all the sign I will give you you
may go to your grave with sealed lips. But what I have said you must
do!"
He bent his head over her with tender care. At the same time she felt
her arm pressed and shaken inconspicuously, but in an undeniable manner.
"You must do it." A little shake that no passer-by could notice; and
this was going on in a deserted part of the dock. "It must be done. You
are listening to me--eh? or would you go again to my sister?"
His ironic tone, perhaps from want of use, had an awful grating ferocity.
"Would you go to her?" he pursued in the same strange voice. "Your best
friend! And say nicely--I am sorry. Would you? No! You couldn't.
There are things that even you, poor dear lost girl, couldn't stand. Eh?
Die rather. That's it. Of course. Or can you be thinking of taking
your father to that infernal cousin's house. No! Don't speak. I can't
bear to think of it. I would follow you there and smash the door!"
The catch in his voice astonished her by its resemblance to a sob. It
frightened her too. The thought that came to her head was: "He mustn't.
Pages:
495
496
497
498
499
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519