“Alas! alas! no! the affairs of this property will be settled by his attorney. Kate, I am very miserable!”
“Dear lady, I know it! Do not, when tempted by hopelessness, do that which you may regret all your life! That which may shut out the possibility of happiness forever! I wish I could go to Richmond with you.”
“Oh, I wish you could! I think that you could save me from danger, Kate.”
“I think you want an honest friend near you, Miss Clifton! But, one thing you can do—you can resolve not to form any matrimonial engagement until you have again met with Captain Clifton. And you can bind your resolution by a promise. Promise me, dear lady, by the interest I take in you, to hold yourself free from entanglements, until you see your cousin!”
“Kate!—yes, I solemnly promise you, by all I hold sacred, that I will do as you advise in this matter! And, Kate, enfeebled as I am, or may become, in mind or body, I cannot break my pledged word! Good girl! You have saved me again! Oh, Kate! Kate! do you think I don’t know the full extent of your disinterestedness? Oh, Kate! noble girl! God reward you!”
Catherine began to tremble so violently, that Miss Clifton threw her arms around her, and pressed her to her bosom, whispering,
“Never fear, dear girl! sweet girl! I will not breathe another word! I would as soon sacrilegiously snatch the veil from the sanctuary, as breathe another word about it!”
When Catherine reached home in the afternoon, she found a message waiting her, from Mrs. Clifton, of Hardbargain. She went up immediately to the farm-house, and found that lady looking very happy.
“Catherine, my dear, sit down. I have good news. I have just received a letter from Archer. He will be in Richmond in four days from this! But his duties are such that he will not be able to leave Richmond for some weeks. He begs me to meet him there! He has been promoted, Kate! He is now Major Clifton, and has been appointed aid-de-camp to the Governor!”