“What is it now, great God!” she said anxiously. “Clarissa said you looked so pale and undone, that I have been terribly frightened.”
Daniel had come to the conclusion that the plain truth would be less cruel than the most skilful precautions.
“I have been ordered on active service,” he replied, “and I must be on board ship the day after tomorrow.”
And then, without concealing any thing, he told her all he had suffered since the day before. Miss Ville-Handry felt as if she had been stunned by a crushing blow. She was leaning against a tree. Did she even hear Daniel? Yes; for, suddenly rousing herself, she said,—
“You will not obey! It is impossible for you to obey!”
“Henrietta, my honor is at stake.”
“Ah, what does it matter?”
He was about to reply; but she continued in a broken voice,—
“You will certainly not go when you have heard me. You think I am strong, brave, and capable to breast the storm? You are mistaken. I was only drawing upon your energy, Daniel. I am a child, full of daring as long as it rests on its mother’s knee, but helpless as soon as it feels that it is left to itself; I am only a woman, Daniel; I am weak.”
The unhappy man felt his strength leaving him; he could no longer bear the restraint which he had imposed upon himself.