Even a little secret,
in such a married life as ours, is like the rose-leaf which kept
the Princess from her sleep.
From this the talk branched into other subjects, and I told her
much about my lonely and wandering existence; she, for her part,
giving ear, and saying little. Although we spoke very naturally,
and latterly on topics that might seem indifferent, we were both
sweetly agitated. Too soon it was time for her to go; and we
separated, as if by mutual consent, without shaking hands, for both
knew that, between us, it was no idle ceremony.
The next, and that was the fourth day of our acquaintance, we met
in the same spot, but early in the morning, with much familiarity
and yet much timidity on either side. When she had once more
spoken about my danger - and that, I understood, was her excuse for
coming - I, who had prepared a great deal of talk during the night,
began to tell her how highly I valued her kind interest, and how no
one had ever cared to hear about my life, nor had I ever cared to
relate it, before yesterday. Suddenly she interrupted me, saying
with vehemence -
"And yet, if you knew who I was, you would not so much as speak to
me!"
I told her such a thought was madness, and, little as we had met, I
counted her already a dear friend; but my protestations seemed only
to make her more desperate.
"My father is in hiding!" she cried.
"My dear," I said, forgetting for the first time to add "young
lady," "what do I care? If he were in hiding twenty times over,
would it make one thought of change in you?"
"Ah, but the cause!" she cried, "the cause! It is - " she faltered
for a second - "it is disgraceful to us!"
CHAPTER IV - TELLS IN WHAT A STARTLING MANNER I LEARNED THAT I WAS
NOT ALONE IN GRADEN SEA-WOOD
This was my wife's story, as I drew it from her among tears and
sobs.
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