“Yes.”
“To-night?”
“Yes. How did you know?”
“Never mind. I know. You must not go.”
“How can I help it? Diana!”
She sunk down before me, quite helpless and unnerved.
“Patty,” I said, “you have never ceased to love and trust your sister?”
“Never, never—you are before all the world to me. Diana! You will find a way!”
“If you are strong—yes. I have been alert and watchful, child, while you never knew it. But he did; and he means to separate us; to rid himself of the watch-dog, that he may seize the lamb. He has but this moment told me I must go—with what coarseness and insult I will not soil your ears by repeating. If you love your honour, as I love and have sacrificed myself to save it, you must come with me.”
“I will come”—she rose hurriedly to her feet. “How can I ever repay you, sister? The old, wicked man! At once—Diana! let us fly at once!”