He started up and began to tremble as if caught in some deep offence.
"Madam—oh, madam! what brought you here?"
"I could not stay in that new house, Jacob. It was so close I could not breathe. The air of this valley penetrates my very heart—but I cannot shed a tear. Is it so with you, Jacob Strong?"
Jacob turned his head away; he could not all at once arouse himself from the deep delirium of his memories; his strong brain ached with the sudden transition her presence had forced upon it. Ada looked searchingly up the valley, and made a step forward.
"Where are you going, madam, not up yonder—not to the old house?"
"I must go, Jacob—this suspense is choking me—I could not live another hour without learning something of them."
"No, not yet, I beg of you, do not go yet."
Ada Leicester turned abruptly toward her humble friend; her lips grew very pale.
"Why, why? have you inquired? have you heard anything?"