“We have found it,” he muttered, choking; and reached out his hand.
But I was quicker than he.
“Wait,” said I, pulling him back. “Before either of us touch it, listen to me. If that is the will we are looking for and if it makes you the master here, I here swear to recognize your rights instantly and without question. There will be no legal procedure and no unpleasantness so far as I am concerned.”
With this I loosened my clasp.
Would he respond with a like promise? No, he could not. It was not in his nature to do so. He tried,—I felt him make the struggle, but all that resulted were some choked words in recognition of my generosity, followed by a quick seizure of the paper and a rush up the first half dozen steps. But there he stopped, his silhouette against the light making a picture stamped indelibly upon my memory.
“I’ve got it; I’ve got it!” he shouted to those above, waving the paper over his head in a triumph almost delirious.
I could not see their faces, but I heard two gasping cries and dashed up, overtaking him just as he emerged into the full light.
He was unfolding the document, all eagerness and anticipatory delight. He could not wait to reach the room itself; he could not wait even to reach the closet; he must see now—at once—while the woman he loved was within reach. A minute lost was so much stolen from the coming rapture.
I was at his shoulder eager to know my own fate, as his trembling fingers threw the covering leaf back. I knew where to look—I endeavored to forget everything but the spot where the name should be,—the name which would tell all; I wished to see it first. I wished—
A cloud came over me, but through it as if the words blazed beyond the power of any mist to hide them I read: