Part 12 (1/2)
And I went, leaving him to stare after me jealously
CHAPTER VII
THE STOEP
When I reached Miss Heda she was collecting half-openedwhat to say I made the appropriate quotation At least it was appropriate to ht, and, froathering thelanced towards the verandah, though of this I could not be sure because of the wide bri
Then we talked a little on indifferentto pluck the roses She askedon well, and how long it would be before he could travel I replied that Dr Rodd could tell her better than myself, but that I hoped in about a week
”In a week!” she said, and although she tried to speak lightly there was dis,” I answered; ”but even if he is fit to go, the oxen have not come yet, and I don't quite knohen they will”
”Too long!” she exclai! Oh! if you only knehat it is to uests as you are in this place,” and her dark eyes filled with tears
By noe had passed to the side of the house in search of sononette, and were out of sight of the verandah and quite alone
”Mr Quater whether to ask your advice about soive it I have no one to consult here,” she added rather piteously
”That is for you to decide If you wish to do so I ah to be your father, and will do rove that stood about forty yards away, ostensibly to pick some fruit, but really because we knew that there we should be out of hearing and could see any one who approached
”Mr Quaterreat trouble, aled to be married to a man whom I do not care for”
”Then why not break it off? It enerally best to face unpleasant things, and nothing can be so bad asa man whom you do not-care for”
”Because I cannot-I dare not I have to obey”
”How old are you, Miss Marnhauess that I did not intend to return here until they were over, but I ell-trapped He wrote to me that my father was ill and I came”
”At any rate when they are over you will not have to obey any one It is not long to wait”
”It is an eternity Besides this is not so much a question of obedience as of duty and of love I love my father hatever his faults, has always been very kind to o to him and tell him your trouble?”
”He knows it already, Mr Quatere even more than I do, if that is possible But he is driven to it, as I am Oh! I must tell the truth The doctor has so dreadful; I don't knohat and I don't want to know, but if it came out it would ruin my father, or worse, worse I ae he will destroy the proofs If I refuse to marry him, they will be produced and then-”
”It is difficult,” I said
”It is more than difficult, it is terrible If you could see all there is in my heart, you would kno terrible”
”I think I can see, Miss Heda Don't say any more now Give ain, and be sure that I will protect you”
”But you are going in a week”
”Many things happen in a week Sufficient to the day is its evil At the end of the ill co is already decided”