And, believe me, I am
acting rather from necessity than choice. We have many things in
common, and I am sadly in the dark. There is much that I should be
doing, and my hands are tied. I do not know even what to feel, nor
who are my friends and enemies."
She found her voice with an effort.
"I do not know who you are," she said.
"Ah, yes! Miss Vandeleur, you do," returned Francis "better than I
do myself. Indeed, it is on that, above all, that I seek light.
Tell me what you know," he pleaded. "Tell me who I am, who you
are, and how our destinies are intermixed. Give me a little help
with my life, Miss Vandeleur - only a word or two to guide me, only
the name of my father, if you will - and I shall be grateful and
content."
"I will not attempt to deceive you," she replied. "I know who you
are, but I am not at liberty to say."
"Tell me, at least, that you have forgiven my presumption, and I
shall wait with all the patience I have," he said. "If I am not to
know, I must do without. It is cruel, but I can bear more upon a
push. Only do not add to my troubles the thought that I have made
an enemy of you."
"You did only what was natural," she said, "and I have nothing to
forgive you. Farewell."
"Is it to be FAREWELL?" he asked.
"Nay, that I do not know myself," she answered. "Farewell for the
present, if you like."
And with these words she was gone.
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