The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-07

II there with my own hands. And say
oh, Marian, say for me- then, what i can
never say for myself-say | loved him.
She flung her arms round my neck. and
whispered the last words i'm my ear with
passionate delight in uttering them
which IL almost broke my heart to hear.
All the long restraint she had imposed
on herself gave way In that first. last
outburst of tenderness. She broke from
me with hysterical vehemence, and threw
herself on the sofa, in a paroxysm OF
sobs and tears that shook her from head
to foot.
/ tried vainly to soothe her and reason
with her: she was past being soothed
and past being reasoned with. II was
the sad, sudden end for US two, OF this
memorable day. When the ht had worn
Itself out, she was too exhausted TO
speak She slumbered toward the after
noon; and put away the book OF draw
ings, so that she might not see II when
she woke. My face was calm. whatever
my heart might be, when she opened her
eyes again and looked at me. We said
no more to each other about the Distress
ing interview OF the morning. Sir Per-
civars name was not mentioned. Walter
Hartright was not alluded to again by
either OF us for the remainder OF the oay.
l0th.-Finding that she was composed
and like herself this morning. I returned
TO the painful subject OF yesterday, for
the sole purpose OF imploring her to let
me speak TO Sir Percival and Mr.. Fair
lie, more plainly and strongly than she
could speak TO either OF them herself,
about this lamentable marriage. She
interposed, gently but firmly, In the mid
die OF my remonstrances.
II left yesterday 10 decide" she said:
"and yesterday has decided. 1t Is too
late TO go back"
Sir Percival spoke to me this afternoon,
about what had passed In Laura's room.
He assured me that the unparalleled trust
she had placed In him had awakened
such an answering conviction OF her in
nocence and Integrity in his mind. that
he was guiltless Of having felt even a
moments unworthy jealousy, either at
the time he was In her presence or-af-
terward when he had withdrawn from
It. Deeply as he lamented the unfor-
tunate attachment which had hindeTed
the progress he might otherwise have
made In her esteem and regard, he firmly
believed that II had remained unacknowl-
edged I'm the past, and that IL would re-
main, under all changes of circumstan-
stance which IL was possible TO contem-
plate. unacknowledged in the future. This
was his absolute conviction; and the
strongest proof he could give OF Il was
the assurance, which he now offered
er the attachment was OF recent date or
not. or who had been the object OF It,
His implicit confidence en- Miss Fairlie
made him satisfied with what she had
thought At to say TO him. and he was
honestly innocent OF the slightest feel
ing OF anxiety TO hear more.
He waited. after saying those words.
and looked at me. ! was so conscious
OF my unreasonable prejudice against
him--so conscious OF an unworthy sus-
picion that he might be specializing on
my impulsively answering the very dues-
tions 10 which he had just described
/ himself as resolved not TO ask-that
evsded all reference 10 this part OF the
! subject with something like a feeling OF
! confusion on my own part. At the same
\ time I was resolved not 10 lose even
/ the smallest opportunity Of trying to
\ plead Laura's cause: and told him bold
\ ly that I regretted his generosity had
not carried him one step farther. and In
I duced him TO withdraw from the engage
rnent altogether.
/ Here again, he disarmed me by not
/ attempting 10 defend himself. Tie would
/ beg me 10 remember the difference there
was between his allowing Miss Fairlio
10 give him up. which was n matter of
submission only, and his forcing himself
/ TO give ND Miss Fsirlie. which was. In
| other words. asking him 20 be the suicide
OF his own hopes. Her conduct OF the
day before had SO strengthened the un-
chanreable love and admiration OF two
long years. that all active contention
against those feelings. on his part. wa.
henceforth entirely out OF his power.
muss think him weak. selfish. unfeelinR
| toward the very woman whom he Idol
ized and ne must bow TO my opinion
as resignedly as he could only putting I,