Part 48 (2/2)
Laura, you heard what I said?”
”Yes, Fred; I heard what you said,” she replied in a cold, uneh the welcorily
”Aunt,” said Laura, coldly, ”have the goodness to be silent No, Fred, I cannot do what you say It is an insult to Isabel and to me to make such a request”
”Have you no pity for me?” whispered Marion, reproachfully ”How can you expose me to this?”
He passed an arm round her waist and led her to a chair
”Isabel,” he said gently, and she started and raised her eyes, to gaze at him fully, ”you must know I could; not dreaive me, too, for what I aently and onceMarion's hand
”Aunt Grace, I insist upon your being silent You have no voice in this rievous peril and needs all a sister's help I ask that help of you; will you give it?”
Laura was silent for a fewby throwing her ar her brother once more
”Well?” he said bitterly
”It is iotten all that was due to Isabel, I cannot No; and if aunt leaves this house I go with her”
”I insist then,” cried Chester, angrily
”No,” said Marion, rising ”I e of that,” said Chester, firht that we could ever stand in such a position as this; but now, face to face, I feel bound to say once ive me, and to ask you to believe the si in holding to our engage you my wife”
She looked up at him firmly, and his heart throbbed with pity for her innocence and suffering, but there was no reproach in her clear, steadfast gaze He read in it that she unquestioningly yielded to her fate; and at the end of a few moments her eyes fell towards the floor
”You see,” whispered Marion, faintly, ”it is io and join them”
”And leave me?” he whispered ”Here, water--quick! Oh, if there is an unfeeling creature upon the face of the earth, it is a wo after the s, and you all stand aside as if she were so!
Hah! Isabel!”
”Yes, Fred,” she said softly
She went down on one knee and tenderly raised the fainting woman's head till it rested upon her shoulder
The touch seemed to revive Marion, and in a few ly at the face so close to hers
”You?” she said softly