"And what?" I asked.
"Nothing," returned she, hurriedly closing the bureau drawer; "only
some little knick-knacks."
"Knick-knacks!" quoth I. "If she stopped for knick-knacks, she
couldn't have gone in any very unwilling frame of mind." And somewhat
disgusted, I was about to throw up the whole affair and leave the
room. But the indecision in Mrs. Daniels' own face deterred me.
"I don't understand it," murmured she, drawing her hand across her
eyes. "I don't understand it. But," she went on with even an increase
in her old tone of heart-felt conviction, "no matter whether we
understand it or not, the case is serious; I tell you so, and she must
be found."
I resolved to know the nature of that must, used as few women in her
position would use it even under circumstances to all appearance more
aggravated than these.
"Why, must?" said I. "If the girl went of her own accord as some things
seem to show, why should you, no relative as you acknowledge, take the
matter so to heart as to insist she shall be followed and brought
back?"
She turned away, uneasily taking up and putting down some little
matters on the table before her. "Is it not enough that I promise to
pay for all expenses which a search will occasion, without my being
forced to declare just why I should be willing to do so? Am I bound
to tell you I love the girl? that I believe she has been taken away
by foul means, and that to her great suffering and distress? that
being fond of her and believing this, I am conscientious enough to
put every means I possess at the command of those who will recover
her?"
I was not satisfied with this but on that very account felt my
enthusiasm revive.
Pages:
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32