The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-06

arm which lay on the table: turned a
little away I'm his chair, and supported his
head on his hand, so that his profile only
was presented 10 us.
What changer" he asked. The tone
In which he put the question Jared on
me-there was something painfully sup
pressed in II.
She sighed heavily, and leaned toward
me httle, so to rest her shoulder
against mine. / felt her trembling, and
tried to spare her by speaking myself.
She stopped me by a warning pressure
OF her hand and then addressed Sir Per-
cfval once more; but this time without
looking at him.
Il have heard" she said, "and 1 be-
lieve IT, that the fondest and truest OF all
affections is the affection which a woman
ought TO bear to her husband. When our
engagement began, that affection was
mine to give II ! could, and yours to win,
II you could. Will you pardon me. and
spare me, Sir Percival. II j acknowledge
that Is Is not so any longer7''
A few tears gathered in her eyes. and
dropped over her cheeks slowly, as she
paused and waited for his answer. He
did not utter a word. At the beginning OF
her reply, he had moved the hand on
which his head rested. so that IL hid in
face I saw nothing but the upper part OF
his figure at the table. Not muscle
which supported his head were dented
deep in his hair They might have ex-
pressed hidden anger. or hidden grief-it
was hard TO say which--there was no
significant trembling In them. There was
nothing. absolutely nothing, to tell the Sc
cret OF his thoughts at that moment--the
moment which was the crisis OF his life
and the crisis of hers.
/ was determined to make him declare
himself, for Laura's sake.
"Sir Percival!' I interposed. sharply.
have you nothing to say, when my sister
has said so much? More, In my opinion"
I added. my unlucky temper getting the
better OF me, than any man alive, In
your position, has a right to hear from
/ her.
That last rash sentence opened n way
for him by which to escape me II he
chose; and he instantly took advantage
OF IL.
Pardon me, Miss Halcombe," he said,
still keeping his hand over his face
pardon me, II remind you that I have
claimed no such right"
The few plain words which would have
brought him back to the point from which
he had wandered were just on my lips,
when Laura checked me by speaking
again.
II hope have not made my painful ac-
Acknowledgement In vain." she continued.
II hope II has secured me your entire con-
fdence In what have still TO say"
Pray be assured Of it," He made that
brief reply warmly; dropping his hand on
the table while he spoke. and turning to-
ward us again. Whatever outward
change had passed over him, was gone
now. His face was eager and expectant-it
expressed nothing but the most intense
anxiety to hear her next words.
Il wish you to understand that / have
not spoken from any selfish motive" she
said. IF you leave me- Sir Percival, af-
| ter what you have just heard. you do not
| leave me 10 marry another man--you only
allow me TO remain a single woman for
/ the rest of my hfe. My fault toward you
has begun and ended In my own thoughts.
/ II can never go any further. No word has
] passed" She hesitated. I'm doubt about
\ the expression she should use next: hest
/ tsted, in a momentary confusion which Ii
/ was very sad and very painful TO see.
/ mo word has passed" she patiently and
/ resolutely resumed, between myself and
/ the person 10 whom | am now referring
! for the first and last time In your pres
ence. OF my feelings toward him. or his
\ feelings toward memo word ever can
/ pass-neither he nor ! are likely. I'm this
/ world, 20 meet again. earnestly beg you
! TO spare me from saying more. and to be-
/ lieve me. on my word. In what I have
Just told you II is the truth. Sir Percival
I the truth which ] think my promised
husband has "A claim 20 hear. at any sac
rifice 81 my own feelings. ] trust TO his
generosity 20 pardon me. and 20 his hon
/ VI g. keep my secret
Both those trusts are secret 90 me-" he
said and both shall be sacredly kept
After answering IN those terms he pau
sed. and looked at her. as IL he was walt
ing IN hear more.
II have said all wish 20 say" she add
ed. quietly-"I have said more than