He stood a moment looking
downwards, then knelt beside her and very tenderly wiped them away.
"My dear," he said softly, "you mustn't ever cry again. It breaks my
heart to see you. If you want Eustace, he shall come to you. Dinah was
speaking to me about it only a short time ago. She will not stand in the
way of his coming. In fact, I gathered that if you wish it, she wishes it
also."
"That is so like little Dinah," whispered Isabel. "But, Stumpy, do you
think we ought to let her face that?"
"I shall be here," he said.
"Oh, yes, dear. You will be here." She regarded him wistfully. "Stumpy,
don't'--don't let yourself get bitter against Eustace!" she pleaded. "You
have always been so splendid, so forbearing, till now."
Scott's lips were stern. "Some things are hard to forgive, Isabel," he
said.
"But if I forgive--" she said.
His face changed; he bowed his head suddenly down upon her pillow.
"Nothing will give you back to me--when you are gone," he whispered.
Her hand was on his head in a moment. "Oh, my dear, are you grieving
because of that? And I have been such a burden to you!"
"A burden beloved," he said, speaking with difficulty. "And you were
getting better. You were better. He--threw you back again. He brought
you--to this."
Her fingers pressed his forehead. "Not entirely, Stumpy. Be generous,
dear! It may have hastened matters a little--only a very little.
Pages:
500
501
502
503
504
505
506
507
508
509
510
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
518
519
520
521
522
523
524