They
had kissed the quiet face on the pillow. They had said to each other,
"We will live with him or die with him as God pleases." Miss Lavinia
sat by the bedside. Natalie was on a stool at her feet--with her eyes
closed, and her head on her aunt's knee.
Time went on. The clock in the hall had struck--ten or eleven, they
were not sure which--when they heard the signal which warned them of the
servant's return from the village. He brought news, and more than news;
he brought a letter from Launce.
Natalie read these lines:
"I shall be with you, dearest, almost as soon as you receive this. The
bearer will tell you what has happened in the village--your note throws
a new light on it all. I only remain behind to go to the vicar (who is
also the magistrate here), and declare myself your husband. All disguise
must be at an end now. My place is with you and yours. It is even worse
than your worst fears. Turlington was at the bottom of the attack on
your father. Judge if you have not need of your husband's protection
after that!--L.
Pages:
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164