Part 48 (2/2)
”Dear lad!... But--suppose, even then I do not love you--as men mean love.”
”So that you love no other man, I should still want you.”
”Am I then so vital to you?”
”Utterly.”
”To how many other women have you spoken thus?” she asked gravely.
”To none.”
”Truly?”
”Truly, Lois.”
She said in a low voice:
”Other men have said it to me.... I have heard them swear it with tears in their eyes and calling G.o.d to witness. And I knew all the while that they were lying--perjuring their souls for the sake of a ragged, unripe jade, and a wild night's frolic.... Well--G.o.d made men.... I know myself, too.... To love you as you wish is to care less for you than I already do. I would not willingly.... Yet, I may try if you wish it....
So that is all the promise I dare make you. Come--take me home now--if you care to walk as far with me.”
”And I who am asking you to walk through life with me?” I said, forcing a laugh.
We turned; she took my arm, and together we moved slowly back through the falling dusk.
And, as we approached her door, came a sudden and furious sound of galloping behind us, and we sprang to the side of the road as the express thundered by in a storm of dust and driving pebbles.
”News,” she whispered. ”Do they bring good news as fast as bad?”
”It may mean our marching orders,” I said, dejected.
We had now arrived at Croghan's, and she was withdrawing her arm from mine, when the hollow sound of a conch-horn went echoing and booming through the dusk.
”It does mean your marching orders!” she exclaimed, startled.
”It most certainly means something,” said I. ”Good-night--I must run for the fort----”
”Are you going to----to leave me?”
”That horn is calling out Morgan's men----”
”Am I not to see you again?”
”Why, yes--I expect so--but if----”
”Oh! Is there an 'if'?' Euan, are you going away forever?”
”Dear maid, I don't know yet what has happened----”
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