“‘As you desire it, certainly.’
“‘Clare, listen. I am going away, I know not whither; I have known you long, and I have only known you to love you.’
“‘Mr. Redgill, do not cause me to give you humiliation; twice before I have told you that your feelings are not reciprocated; they can never be. You will bear witness that I never gave the slightest cause for you to suppose that I liked you other than as a friend. No, I can assure you there have been none to counsel me; I follow the dictates of my heart; your worldly station is fit for any lady, but it is not that. I cannot explain the cause; but, to speak frankly and for the last time, I am sorry if I have caused you an uneasy moment, it has been foreign to my thoughts, and I now say unreservedly that I do not and never can look upon you with feelings other than those of acquaintanceship. My heart is no longer mine; you can never share it, and I feel certain you are too honourable to ever trouble yourself or me again by referring to so distasteful a subject; good evening.’
“Shaking hands she left him.
“‘My heart is no longer mine, eh? Oh, if the hound had fifty lives, one less would not have satisfied my revenge. Pass on, proud Clare; if love freezes into hate, you will have cause to remember and regret this hour.’
“Moodily sauntering into the hall, he bowed to the host and hostess and departed.
“While this conversation was transpiring under the lamp-lit trees, the moon was bright and cloudless, and the ozier-banked stream looked innocent and pure.
“It flowed on as usual with gurgling sound, but eddied near the willows.
“No signs of violence were visible, and ere long a man was heard approaching, whistling and carrying a lantern. Presently he shouted to some one still behind him in the wood, and both lingered on the bridge while a hound descended to the brink and began to drink.
“‘This is the place for trout, Ike,’ said he with the lamp. ‘The colonel often says to me, Jack, says he, go and catch a few trouts. Miss Clare allers has fish on Friday.’