The girl sprang to her feet.
"You can't."
"One minute, little Kitty. If you will help me, we will both do something. I think we have done wrong in the past—you in your way, I in mine. But while your sins are comparatively venial, mine—O mercy! I seem to see his dying face, and he is reproaching me. It is poor Aylmer. Tell him to get away. He scares me. I did not think that I could be scared; but he looks at me, and he scares me.—I'll put it right, Aylmer; yes, I'll put it right.—Kitty, you must help me. You and I together, little girl, can put everything right."
"What do you mean?" said Kitty.
She trembled all over, but still she kept herself in check.
"Listen, child. There are two people whom you and I have done all that man and woman could to part. Suppose, now, I give them back to one another; suppose you give them back. I restore them with my death, and you with your life. How does that sound? Do you think you can do your part if I do mine?"
"I don't know."
"You have no time to think. Be quick. If you will do it, I will do it."
The major's eyes began to shine with fever.
"Be quick," he said. "I believe you will do it. Fetch Sister Mollie." And Kitty went.