Part 73 (1/2)
”It is not time yet”
”What do you mean by that?”
”That is a secret”
”Of course; you make it one; but if it is one connected with ht to know”
”It is not time yet for you to know”
”When will it be time?”
”I can not tell”
”And you will therefore keep it a secret forever?”
”I hope, ”
”Yet why do you wait, if you know or even suspect any thing in which I am concerned?”
”I wish to spare you”
”That is not necessary A which you et what a life I have had for two years Such a life ”
”If it were ht create sorroould tell it
I believe that you have a self-reliant nature, which has grown stronger through affliction But that which I have to tell is different It is of such a character that it would of necessity destroy any peace of s that could never be satisfied”
”Yet even that I could bear Do you not see that by your very vagueness you are exciting hts and hopes? You do not knohat I know”
”What do you know?” asked Langhetti, eagerly
Beatrice hesitated No; she could not tell That would be to tell all the holiest secrets of her heart For she must then tell about Brandon, and the African island, and the manuscript which he carried and which had been taken from his bosom Of this she dared not speak
She was silent
”You can not _know_ any thing,” said Langhetti ”You may suspect much
I only have suspicions Yet it would not be wise to communicate these to you, since they would prove idle and without result” So the conversation ended, and Langhetti still h Beatrice hoped to find it out
At length she was sufficiently recovered to be able to begin the work to which Langhetti wished to lead her It was August, and Langhetti was ian he made preparations to depart, and in a few days they were in London Edith was left with Mrs
Thornton Beatrice had an attendant ith her, half chaperon half lady's maid
CHAPTER xxxVI