Volume Ii Part 58 (1/2)
”Yes ? for mine,” he said, with a meaning deliberateness.
Fleda was silent, with a face of white determination.
”It will be beyond _eluding_, as beyond recal, the second time.
I may seem selfish ? I am selfish ? but, dear Miss Ringgan, you do not see all ? you, who make me so, can make me anything else with a touch of your hand ? it is selfishness that would be bound to your happiness, if you did but entrust it to me.”
Fleda neither spoke nor looked at him, and rose up from her chair.
”Is this _your_ generosity?” he said, pointedly, though gently.
”That is not the question now, Sir,” said Fleda, who was trembling painfully. ”I cannot do evil that good may come.”
”But _evil?_” said he, detaining her ? ”what evil do I ask of you? to _remove_ evil, I do.”
Fleda clasped her hands, but answered calmly ?
”I cannot make any pretences, Sir; I cannot promise to give what is not in my power.”
”In whose power, then?” said he, quickly.
A feeling of indignation came to Fleda's aid, and she turned away. But he stopped her still.
”Do you think I do not understand?” he said, with a covert sneer, that had the keenness, and hardness, and the brightness of steel.
”_I_ do not, Sir,” said Fleda.
”Do you think I do not know whom you came here to meet?”
Fleda's glance of reproach was a most innocent one, but it did not check him.
”Has that fellow renewed his old admiration of you?” he went on, in the same tone.
”Do not make me desire his old protection,” said Fleda, her gentle face roused to a flush of displeasure.
”Protection!” said Charlton, coming in, ”who wants protection?
here it is ? protection from what? my old friend Lewis? what the deuce does this lady want of protection, Mr. Thorn?”
It was plain enough that Fleda wanted it, from the way she was drooping upon his arm.
”You may ask the lady herself,” said Thorn, in the same tone he had before used; ? ”I have not the honour to be her spokesman.”
”She don't need one,” said Charlton; ”I addressed myself to you ? speak for yourself, man.”
”I am not sure that it would be her pleasure I should,” said Thorn. ”Shall I tell this gentleman, Miss Ringgan, who needs protection, and from what?”
Fleda raised her head, and, putting her hand on his arm, looked a concentration of entreaty ? lips were sealed.
”Will you give me,” said he, gently taking the hand in his own, ”your sign-manual for Captain Rossitur's security? It is not too late. Ask it of her, Sir.”
”What does this mean?” said Charlton, looking from his cousin to his friend.