"I ought long ago to have begged your pardon for something rude which I said to you at your own door. This day has made me quite ashamed of—"
But she interrupted him, quite wildly, gasping for breath.
"The belt? The belt? Oh, my God! my God! Have you heard anything more?—anything more?"
"Not a word; but—"
To his astonishment, she heaved a deep sigh, as if relieved from a sudden fear. His face clouded, and his eyebrows rose. Was she guilty, then, after all?
With the quick eyes of love, she saw the change; and broke out passionately,—
"Yes; suspect me! suspect me, if you will! only give me time! Send me to prison, innocent as I am—innocent as that child there above—would God I were dying like her!—Only give me time! O misery! I had hoped you had forgotten—that it was lost in the sea—that—what am I saying?—Only give me time!"—and she dropped on her knees before him, wringing her hands.
"Miss Harvey! This is not worthy of you. If you be innocent, as I don't doubt, what more do you need—or I?"
He took her hands, and lifted her up: but she still kept looking down, round, upwards, like a hunted deer, and pleading in words which seemed sobbed out—as by some poor soul on the rack—between choking spasms of agony.
"Oh, I don't know,—God help me! O Lord, help me! I will try and find it—I know I shall find it! only have patience; have patience with me a little, and I know I shall bring it you; and then—and then you will forgive?—forgive?"