Part 82 (1/2)
”You will leave roaned; ”we are the sport of circu!” he continued, ”you know eance”
”I know it all,” she whispered ”I would wish to die if I could die by your hand”
”I will save you Oh, love--oh, soul of mine--my arms are around you!
You are watched--but watched by hed ”Alas! your father's voice eance uard you”
She answered nothing Could she confide in his assurance? She could not
She thought with horror of the life before her What could Brandon do?
She could not i ti, and each threw all life and all thought into the rapture of this long and ecstatic eulf must reopen She was of the blood of the accursed They must separate forever
He kissed her He pressed her a thousand ti kisses forced a new and feverish life into her, which roused all her nature Never before had he dared so to fling open all his soul to her; never before had he so clasped her to his heart; but now thisseparation--a short interval which ive way to the misery which had preceded it--and so he yielded to the rapture of the hour, and defied the future
The er tiing to one another She had flung her aruish of her unspeakable love, he had clasped her to his wildly-throbbing heart, and he was straining her there recklessly and despairingly, when suddenly a harsh voice burst upon their ears
”The devil!”
Beatrice did not hear it Brandon did, and turned his face Potts stood before them
”Mr Potts!” said he, as he still held Beatrice close to his heart, ”this poor young lady is in wretched health She nearly fainted I had to alh to open it, so as to give her some air? Is she subject to these faints? Poor child!” he said; ”the air of this place ought surely to do you good I sympathize with you most deeply, Mr Potts”
”She's sickly--that's a fact,” said Potts ”I'm very sorry that you have had so ht that she'd entertain you, for she's very clever Has all the accomplishments--”
”Perhaps you'd better call some one to take care of her,” interrupted Brandon
”Oh, I'll fetch some one I'm sorry it happened so I hope you won't blame me, Sir,” said Potts, humbly, and he hurried out of the room
Beatrice had not ave herself up for lost, but in an instant she understood the fullof his words To his admirable presence of mind she added her own She did nota delicious joy in the thought that Potts was looking on and was utterly deceived When he left to call a servant she raised her head and gave Brandon a last look expressive of her deathless, her unutterable love Again and again he pressed her to his heart Then the noise of servants coently placed her on a sofa, and supported her with a grave and solee of her,” said Potts ”She's been trying to faint”
Mrs Co down kissed Beatrice's hands She said nothing
”Oughtn't she to have a doctor?” said Brandon
”Oh no--she'll get over it Take her to her room, Mrs Compton”
”Can the poor child walk?” asked Brandon
Beatrice rose Mrs Co heavily upon it, walked away
[Illustration: ”THE DEVIL!”POTTS STOOD BEFORE THEM]