Suddenly, as they sat thinking, and making pretence to eat, a thought flashed like an arrow into Beatrice’s heart, and pierced it. This was the last meal that they could ever take together, this was the last time that she could ever see her father’s and her sister’s faces. For her sister, well, it might pass—for there are some things which even a woman like Beatrice can never quite forgive—but she loved her father. She loved his very faults, even his simple avarice and self-seeking had become endeared to her by long and wondering contemplation. Besides, he was her father; he gave her the life she was about to cast away. And she should never see him more. Not on that account did she hesitate in her purpose, which was now set in her mind, like Bryngelly Castle on its rock, but at the thought tears rushed unbidden to her eyes.
Just then breakfast came to an end, and Elizabeth hurried from the room to fetch her bonnet.
“Father,” said Beatrice, “if you can before you go, I should like to hear you say that you do not believe that I told you what was false—about that story.”
“Eh, eh!” answered the old man nervously, “I thought that we had agreed to say nothing about the matter at present.”
“Yes, but I should like to hear you say it, father. It cuts me that you should think that I would lie to you, for in my life I have never wilfully told you what was not true;” and she clasped her hands about his arms, and looked into his face.
He gazed at her doubtfully. Was it possible after all she was speaking the truth? No; it was not possible.
“I can’t, Beatrice,” he said—“not that I blame you overmuch for trying to defend yourself; a cornered rat will show fight.”
“May you never regret those words,” she said; “and now good-bye,” and she kissed him on the forehead.
At this moment Elizabeth entered, saying that it was time to start, and he did not return the kiss.
“Good-bye, Elizabeth,” said Beatrice, stretching out her hand. But Elizabeth affected not to see it, and in another moment they were gone. She followed them to the gate and watched them till they vanished down the road. Then she returned, her heart strained almost to bursting. But she wept no tear.