“Not long, sweet sister, not for long?”
“No, not for long,” said Claire excitedly. “It is for May’s sake. You would not wish to harm her?”
“I? Harm her? Heaven! no. I would die for her,” cried the young man enthusiastically. “You little think how we love.”
“Then wait till I have seen, and broken the news to her.”
“Broken the news, when my arms are throbbing to embrace her once more?”
“Go to where you are staying, and wait patiently till you hear from me or from May, arranging for an interview.”
“Go?—and wait?”
“Yes,” cried Claire; “for May’s sake.”
“I? Go and wait!” sighed the young man. “Well, it is for her. But the old father? Let me stay and embrace him, and tell him how rich I am, and of my joy. He was always kind to me, even when I was so poor.”
“Impossible!” cried Claire, trembling for fear that her father should return.