She could not bear the thought; she was determined to speak to him. So, taking some work in her hand, as if she wished to consult him, she went directly to the office.
“Forgive me, Mr. W——,” she said, “if I intrude. But I just learned that you had spoken of going to California.”
“Such is my intention, Miss Hattie.”
“Oh, Mr. W——, am I the cause of this sudden desire to leave your happy home here—your pleasant business? If it is, let me go away. I will never appear in your presence again. Oh, I am so unhappy!”
And tears fell fast from her dark eyes.
“Dear Miss Hattie, please be calm, and do not blame yourself, for it is no fault of yours. But, believe me, for the present it will be better for both of us that I go. It will help you to forget my folly, help me to bear my bitter disappointment. I would not have you leave here on any account. So long as you are here I can hear from you, know you are well, and—that will be much happiness to me.”
“Mr. W——, you are too noble to suffer. Would to Heaven I could save you from it. If you do go to California I will intrust a mission to you which I would not confide to any other man on earth, confident that you will act for me as if you were a dear brother, a true friend, as I feel and know you to be. And in that mission you will discover what I have held as a secret, sacredly, for over three years, and it will help you to blame me less for the disappointment under which you suffer.”
“Ah, Miss Hattie, I do not, have not, blamed you. I know your reasons are good. Your noble heart could not bid you act in any way but rightly. I will undertake any service that you intrust to me, fulfill your wishes sacredly to the utmost of my power.”
“Thank you, Mr. W——. A letter which I wrote last night, with intent to mail, will be confided to your care. And also written directions where to find the person to whom it is addressed, and other matters which I shall ask of you.”
“All of which shall be attended to with faithful diligence, Miss Hattie. And now, please, wash your eyes in the water-basin there before going out. I would not have any one notice you had been weeping.”