"Then _you_ have a duty," said Abraham, with lowered voice. "My mind
isn't at ease, and it's in your power to help me. Don't imitate me,
and put off doing good till it is too late. I don't ask you to feel
kindly to me; all I want is that you'll let me take you to my home
and do all I can for you, both now and after I'm gone."
There was pathos in the speech, and Ida felt it.
"Do you know where I came from this morning ?" she asked, when both
had been silent for some moments.
"I know all about it. I was at the trial, and I did my best for you
then."
"Do you believe that I robbed that woman?" Ida asked, leaning
forward with eager eyes and quickened breath.
"Believe it! Not I! No one believes it who knows anything about her.
Waymark said he wouldn't have believed it if all the courts in
England found you guilty."
"_He_ said that?" she exclaimed. Then, as if suddenly becoming
clearer about her position: "Where is Mr. Waymark? Why didn't he
meet me as he promised?"
Abraham hesitated, but speedily made up his mind that it would be
best to speak the truth.
"I know as little as you do. He ought to have come to me yesterday,
but he didn't, and I can't discover him.
Pages:
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443
444
445
446
447
448
449
450
451
452
453
454
455