Timid as her manner was, it still evinced a resolute and settled purpose, such as Clemency could not resist. She softly unbarred the door: but before turning the key, looked round on the young creature waiting to issue forth when she should open it.
The face was not averted or cast down, but looking full upon her, in its pride of youth and beauty. Some simple sense of the slightness of the barrier that interposed itself between the happy home and honoured love of the fair girl, and what might be the desolation of that home, and shipwreck of its dearest treasure, smote so keenly on the tender heart of Clemency, and so filled it to overflowing with sorrow and compassion, that, bursting into tears, she threw her arms round Marion′s neck.
′It′s little that I know, my dear,′ cried Clemency, ′very little; but I know that this should not be. Think of what you do!′
′I have thought of it many times,′ said Marion, gently.
′Once more,′ urged Clemency. ′Till to-morrow.′ Marion shook her head.
′For Mr. Alfred′s sake,′ said Clemency, with homely earnestness. ′Him that you used to love so dearly, once!′
She hid her face, upon the instant, in her hands, repeating ′Once!′ as if it rent her heart.
′Let me go out,′ said Clemency, soothing her. ′I′ll tell him what you like. Don′t cross the door-step to-night. I′m sure no good will come of it. Oh, it was an unhappy day when Mr. Warden was ever brought here! Think of your good father, darling - of your sister.′
′I have,′ said Marion, hastily raising her head. ′You don′t know what I do. I MUST speak to him. You are the best and truest friend in all the world for what you have said to me, but I must take this step. Will you go with me, Clemency,′ she kissed her on her friendly face, ′or shall I go alone?′
Sorrowing and wondering, Clemency turned the key, and opened the door. Into the dark and doubtful night that lay beyond the threshold, Marion passed quickly, holding by her hand.
In the dark night he joined her, and they spoke together earnestly and long; and the hand that held so fast by Clemeney′s, now trembled, now turned deadly cold, now clasped and closed on hers, in the strong feeling of the speech it emphasised unconsciously. When they returned, he followed to the door, and pausing there a moment, seized the other hand, and pressed it to his lips. Then, stealthily withdrew.
The door was barred and locked again, and once again she stood beneath her father′s roof. Not bowed down by the secret that she brought there, though so young; but, with that same expression on her face for which I had no name before, and shining through her tears.
Again she thanked and thanked her humble friend, and trusted to her, as she said, with confidence, implicitly.
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