"No, I believe you have none!" he added. "And what can I do? I can't step forward and stop this accursed marriage. If you would but say a word I would save you; but you tie my hands. And they expect me to stand by and see it done!"
"Will you not be there, Richard?" said Clare, following the question with her soft eyes. It was the same voice that had so thrilled him on his marriage morn.
"Oh, my darling Clare!" he cried in the kindest way he had ever used to her, "if you knew how I feel this!" and now as he wept she wept, and came insensibly into his arms.
"My darling Clare!" he repeated.
She said nothing, but seemed to shudder, weeping.
"You will do it, Clare? You will be sacrificed? So lovely as you are, too!… Clare! you cannot be quite blind. If I dared speak to you, and tell you all…. Look up. Can you still consent?"
"I must not disobey mama," Clare murmured, without looking up from the nest her cheek had made on his bosom.
"Then kiss me for the last time," said Richard. "I'll never kiss you after it, Clare."
He bent his head to meet her mouth, and she threw her arms wildly round him, and kissed him convulsively, and clung to his lips, shutting her eyes, her face suffused with a burning red.
Then he left her, unaware of the meaning of those passionate kisses.