“Good-bye, Mr. Maitland,” said she, with calm, but evidently not without effort.
He stooped and kissed her hand, held it for a moment or two in his own, and with a very faint “Good-bye,” turned away and left her. He turned suddenly around after a few paces, and came back. “May I ask one question, Alice, before I go?”
“I don't know whether I shall answer it,” said she, with a faint smile.
“I cannot afford to add jealousy to my other torments. Tell me, then—”
“Take care, sir, take care; your question may cost you more than you think of.”
“Good-bye,—good-bye,” said he, sadly, and departed. “Are the horses ready, Fenton?” asked he, as his servant came to meet him.
“Yes, sir; and Captain Lyle has been looking for you all over the garden.”
“He's going,—he 's off, Bella,” said Alice, as she sat down beside her sister's bed, throwing her bonnet carelessly down at her feet.
“Who is going?—who is off?” asked Bella, eagerly.
“Of course,” continued Alice, following up her own thoughts, “to say 'Stay' means more than I like to be pledged to,—I couldn't do it.”