He continued—
“I leave here in a few days, for the purpose of raising a company to serve in the coming war with Great Britain. You will remain here at White Cliffs to take charge of affairs during my absence. If you really hoped to flaunt in the city this winter, I am sorry for your disappointment. But there are duties as well as dignities attending the position of the mistress of Clifton, and these must not be neglected. I shall exact their performance. The overseer and the farm laborers, as well as the housekeeper and her assistants, have orders to obey you in everything. Good-morning, madam.”
And so abruptly he turned upon his heel and left her. One moment she sat there amazed, confused, with her hands pressed upon her temples; and in another, losing all feeling for herself—feeling only for him, she sprung to his side, and caught his hand, exclaiming—
“Stay! For the love of Heaven, stay! one moment—only one moment, while you tell me. Oh! after all, have I made you unhappy?”
“Unhappy! You have been and you are the bane of my life!”
“How? Merciful Heaven, how? when I only wish to consecrate mine to you!”
“Do you dare to ask me?”
“Well!—tell me—tell me! how can I remedy my fault—whatever it is? What can I do to comfort you?”
“Nothing but refrain from troubling me with your company or conversation, when it is not absolutely necessary. Again—good-morning.” And so he freed himself from her clasp, and left the room.
She tottered backwards and fell into a chair, her head dropped upon her hands and she gasped—