She leant towards him and put her hand caressingly on his arm. 'It shall be so, shall it not, Charley?'
'Oh, of course, if you say so.'
'I have your word, then? If I have your word, that will be a perfect bond. I have your word, have I not, Charley?'
'What!—never see her in my life?' said he, turning almost fiercely on Mrs. Woodward.
'That, you know, is more than you can promise,' said she, very gently. 'It is not to the letter of the promise that I would bind you, but to its spirit. You understand well what I mean; you know what I wish, and why I wish it. Say that you will obey my wish, and I will leave the mode of doing it to your own honour. Have I your promise?'
He shook her hand off his arm almost roughly, though unintentionally, and turning sharply round leant with his back against the stile. The traces of tears were still on his cheeks, but he was no longer crying; there was, however, a look on his face of heart-rending sorrow which Mrs. Woodward could hardly endure.
'I do understand you,' said he, 'and since you demand it, I will promise;' and then they walked home side by side, without interchanging a single word.
When they reached the house, Mrs. Woodward went to her room, and Charley found himself alone with Katie.
'I hope you find yourself better this evening,' said he.
'Oh, I am quite well,' she answered, with her sweetest, kindest voice; 'I am quite well, only sometimes I am a little weak.'