"
"He has told you so?"
"Not directly; but there was no misjudging his opinion of the
necessity you were under to explain, the mysteries of your life.
AND IT WAS YESTERDAY WE TALKED; NOT TODAY."
Like words thrown into a void, these slow, lingering, half-uttered
phrases seemed to awaken an echo which rung not only in his inmost
being, but in hers. Not till in both natures silence had settled
again (the silence of despair, not peace), did he speak. When he
did, it was simply to breathe her name.
"Deborah?"
Startled, for it had always before been Madam, she looked up to
find him standing very near her and with his hand held out.
"I am going through deep waters," said he. "Am I to have your
support?"
"O, Judge Ostrander, how can you doubt it?" she cried, dropping
her hand into his, and her eyes swimming with tears. "But what can
I do? If I remain here I will be questioned. If I fly--but,
possibly, that is what you want;--for me to go--to disappear--to
take Reuther and sink out of all men's sight forever. If this is
your wish, I am ready to do it. Gladly will we be gone--now--at
once--this very night if you say so."
His disclaimer was peremptory.
"No; not that. I ask no such sacrifice. Neither would it avail.
There is but one thing which can reinstate Oliver and myself in
the confidence and regard of these people. Cannot you guess it,
madam? I mean your own restored conviction that the sentence
passed upon John Scoville was a just one.
Pages:
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213
214
215
216
217
218
219