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It was such a caress as a father might have given; it was such a one as was not unbecoming from a man soon to die to a woman already dead. "And now," said I, "I am at your service, Mr. Northmour." But I saw, to my surprise, that he had turned his back upon me. "Do you hear?" I asked. "Yes," said he, "I do. If you wish to fight, I am ready. If not, go on and save Clara. All is one to me."
For, although Northmour was neither unkind, nor even discourteous, he had shown himself in several instances somewhat overbold in speech and manner. I listened, I need not say, with fixed attention, and put many questions as to the more mysterious part. It was in vain. She had no clear idea of what the blow was, nor of how it was expected to fall.
D-n it, you're not a fool, young woman; I may call a spade a spade with you. How about the bargain? You know as well as I do what your father's life depends upon. I have only to put my hands under my coat-tails and walk away, and his throat would he cut before the evening." "Yes, Mr. Northmour," returned Clara, with great spirit; "but that is what you will never do.
We raised our voices, and cried aloud in Italian that we were there as ambassadors to arrange the quarrel; but the stillness remained unbroken save by the sea-gulls and the surf. I had a weight at my heart when we desisted; and I saw that even Northmour was unusually pale. He looked over his shoulder nervously, as though he feared that some one had crept between him and the pavilion door.
"Thank God," said Northmour, "Aggie is not coming to-night." Aggie was the name of the old nurse; he had not thought of her till now; but that he should think of her at all was a trait that surprised me in the man. We were again reduced to waiting. Northmour went to the fireplace and spread his hands before the red embers, as if he were cold.
And yet I thought he had a look of triumph underlying all, as though he had already done much, and was near the end of an achievement. Partly from a scruple of delicacy which I dare say came too late partly from the pleasure of startling an acquaintance, I desired to make my presence known to him without delay. I got suddenly to my feet, and stepped forward. "Northmour!" said I.
In the lower ground, a streamlet ran among the trees, and, being dammed with dead leaves and clay of its own carrying, spread out every here and there, and lay in stagnant pools. One or two ruined cottages were dotted about the wood; and, according to Northmour, these were ecclesiastical foundations, and in their time had sheltered pious hermits.
For greater security I trod out the embers of the fire, and lit my lantern to examine the wound upon my shoulder. While I was thus busied I mentally declared war against Northmour and his mystery. I am not an angry man by nature, and I believe there was more curiosity than resentment in my heart.
"Not so," she said. "Did you think I would tell him after what you said?" "Not from Northmour?" I repeated. "Then how? From whom? I see none to be afraid of." "You must not ask me," was her reply, "for I am not free to tell you. Only believe me, and go hence believe me, and go away quickly, quickly, for your life!"
"I pretended," she hesitated, "I pretended to have met you long ago, and spoken to you of him. It was not true; but I could not help myself without betraying you, and you had put me in a difficulty. He praised you highly." "And you may permit me one question does this danger come from Northmour?" I asked. "From Mr. Northmour?" she cried. "Oh, no; he stays with us to share it."
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