'You thought that I was dead.' His voice deep and grave, was as the voice of a stranger.
'Never; I could not believe it; others might, I never did.'
'Faithful old Willie.' He smiled, and then it was Cuthbert again.
I wanted to push him down into the arm-chair in the chimney-corner, and tried to welcome him in such broken words as I could find.
Was it very strange that, in the quick rush of joy at seeing his face once more, I forgot Hildred for a moment—forgot all but that my brother had come home? His next words brought all back. He put his hand on my shoulder and said 'Hildred?' and I felt his grasp tighten as if he tried to steady himself.
'She is at home, and well.'
He drew a long breath without speaking, and my words too were checked.
'I am going to her,' he said next.
'Oh Cuthbert, stop—remember. She knows nothing, she has long given you up. It will kill her if you come upon her suddenly.'
Cuthbert pushed away my hand with a smile. 'Joy does not kill,' he said.