"
"Eh, eh!" answered the old man nervously, "I thought that we had agreed
to say nothing about the matter at present."
"Yes, but I should like to hear you say it, father. It cuts me that
you should think that I would lie to you, for in my life I have never
wilfully told you what was not true;" and she clasped her hands about
his arms, and looked into his face.
He gazed at her doubtfully. Was it possible after all she was speaking
the truth? No; it was not possible.
"I can't, Beatrice," he said--"not that I blame you overmuch for trying
to defend yourself; a cornered rat will show fight."
"May you never regret those words," she said; "and now good-bye," and
she kissed him on the forehead.
At this moment Elizabeth entered, saying that it was time to start, and
he did not return the kiss.
"Good-bye, Elizabeth," said Beatrice, stretching out her hand. But
Elizabeth affected not to see it, and in another moment they were gone.
She followed them to the gate and watched them till they vanished down
the road. Then she returned, her heart strained almost to bursting.
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