“You may be very sure it is not for his pleasure that he stays away.”
“I know he is faithful to old friends,” said Mrs. Vivian. “I am sure he has not forgotten us.”
“I certainly count upon that,” Bernard exclaimed—“remembering him as we do!”
Mrs. Vivian glanced at him gratefully.
“Oh yes, we remember him—we remember him daily, hourly. At least, I can speak for my daughter and myself. He has been so very kind to us.” Bernard said nothing, and she went on. “And you have been so very kind to us, too, Mr. Longueville. I want so much to thank you.”
“Oh no, don’t!” said Bernard, frowning. “I would rather you should n’t.”
“Of course,” Mrs. Vivian added, “I know it ‘s all on his account; but that makes me wish to thank you all the more. Let me express my gratitude, in advance, for the rest of the time, till he comes back. That ‘s more responsibility than you bargained for,” she said, with a little nervous laugh.
“Yes, it ‘s more than I bargained for. I am thinking of going away.”
Mrs. Vivian almost gave a little jump, and then she paused on the Baden cobble-stones, looking up at him.
“If you must go, Mr. Longueville—don’t sacrifice yourself!”