She sighed deeply; and then lifted up her large innocent eyes to his face.
“I cannot give up Frank,” said she, in a low, quiet voice.
Mrs. Browne threw up her hands and exclaimed in terror:
“Oh Edward, Edward! go away—I will give you all the plate I have; you can sell it—my darling, go!”
“Not till I have brought Maggie to reason,” said he, in a manner as quiet as her own, but with a subdued ferocity in it, which she saw, but which did not intimidate her.
He went up to her, and spoke below his breath.
“Maggie, we were children together—we two—brother and sister of one blood! Do you give me up to be put in prison—in the hulks—among the basest of criminals—I don’t know where—all for the sake of your own selfish happiness?”
She trembled very much; but did not speak or cry, or make any noise.
“You were always selfish. You always thought of yourself. But this time I did think you would have shown how different you could be. But it’s self—self—paramount above all.”
“Oh Maggie! how can you be so hard-hearted and selfish?” echoed Mrs. Browne, crying and sobbing.