I liked you so much that it was mean of me ever to
think of--of what so nearly happened."
"So nearly happened!" he repeated, with a sudden access of the
bitterest self-pity.
Once more the low, warning hoot of the motor horn, this time a
little more impatient, broke the silence. Philippa was filled
with an unreasoning terror.
"You must go!" she implored. "You must go this minute! If they
were to take you, I couldn't bear it. And that man Griffiths--he
has sworn that if he can not get the Government authority, he
will shoot you!"
"Griffiths has gone to London," he reminded her.
"Yes, but he may be back by this train," she cried, glancing at the
clock, "and I have a strange sort of fancy--I have had it all day
--that Henry might come, too. It is overdue now. Any one might
arrive here. Oh, please, for my sake, hurry away!" she begged, the
tears streaming from her eyes. "If anything should happen, I could
never forgive myself. It is because you have been so dear, so true
and honourable, that all this time has been wasted. If it were to
cost you your life!"
She was seized by a fit of nervous anxiety which became almost a
paroxysm. She buttoned his coat for him and almost dragged him to
the door. And then she stopped for a moment to listen. Her eyes
became distended. Her lips were parted.
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