'I should not like to see you consoling yourself like that.'
She looked at me frankly, and her face relaxed into a faint smile as she spoke.
'You need not be afraid; now you are back in England, I don't want any other consolation. I can't forget that there is goodness in the world while I can see you and hear from you. You are going to settle in town?' she added quickly and anxiously.
'No, I had not thought of doing so. I am going back to Lark——' Before I could finish the word she was at my feet, kneeling on a cushion and leaning over the arm of my chair with her face distorted by strong excitement.
'No, no, not Larkhall; you must not go back to Larkhall,' she whispered earnestly. 'Promise me you won't go there, promise, promise.'
'Why, what's the matter? Where should I go but to the only home I have had for eleven years?'
'Yes, but it isn't safe now. If I tell you why you will only laugh at me.'
'No, child, I should be ungrateful to laugh at any proof of your interest in me.'
She put her hand on my arm, earnestly pressing it at every other word to give emphasis to her warning.
'My father—you remember him—he is dissatisfied with my marriage. He says you promised to be answerable for my happiness, and he shall make you answer for breaking faith with him.'