Volume Ii Part 67 (1/2)
”Child,” he said at last, ”you will do yourself harm. Has _he_ brought on this state of the nerves that he talks about? And in what possible way?”
”Don't talk about it, Endy!--” said Faith struggling for self-command--”I am foolish--and wrong--and weak. I'll tell you another time.”--But Faith's head kept its position.
”Do you think I can wait, to know what has made my coming home such a tearful affair?”
”Yes. Because it's all over now.”
”What is over?”
”All--that you wouldn't like.”
”Faith, you talk in perfect riddles!--It is well that what I can see of this very pale little face is less puzzling. Did you tell Dr. Harrison of your claim upon me?”
”What?--” she said looking up.
”Well.--You know what that claim is. Did you tell him, Faith?”
Her eyes fell again. ”Yes--at least--I shewed him my ring.”
”In answer to his suit, Faith?”
”No.--He was talking as I did not like, one day.”--Faith's cheeks were growing beautifully rosy.
”Was it to protect yourself, or me?” said Mr. Linden watching her.
Faith's glance up and down, was inexpressibly pretty.
”Myself, I think.”
”You have a strange power of exciting and keeping down my temper, at one and the same time!” said Mr. Linden. ”What did he dare say to you?”
”Nothing about me. It was something--about you--which I did not choose to have him say.”
Mr. Linden smiled, and called her a little crusader, but the grave look came back. Dr. Harrison had known, then, just what ties he was trying to break,--had felt sure--_must_ have felt sure--that they were bonds of very deep love and confidence; and thereupon, had coolly set himself to sow mistrust! Mr. Linden was very silent,--the keen words of indignation that rose to his lips ever driven back and turned aside by Faith's face, which told so plainly that she could bear no excitement.
He spoke at last with great deliberation.
”You may as well shew it to all Pattaqua.s.set, Mignonette!--for all Pattaqua.s.set shall know before I have been here much longer.”
”What?--why?” she said startling.
”For what you will, love. I think you need the protection of my name.”
Faith could not deny it; howsoever she looked quaintly grave upon the proposition.
”Do you know how you will have to scour the country now, and make yourself as much as possible like cowslips and b.u.t.tercups and primroses and mouse-ear?” said Mr. Linden smiling. ”One day you may be a Spring beauty, and the next Meadow-sweet, and when I see you a wild pink I shall feel comparatively happy.”
Faith with a very little laugh remarked that she did not feel as if she ever should be anything _wild_.
”What is your definition of wild?”