“Helped me? It hath put new life into me. It hath given me courage. Why, do you know the shame of the thing had almost prostrated me? An Owen on the gallows, Peggy. I would not have minded so much if the execution had taken place right after we left Lancaster, but to have it hanging over me day after day for so long. Peggy, it hath eaten into my heart.”
“Oh, Clifford!” she cried pityingly. “I did not dream thee felt it so!”
“I did not want you to know, little cousin. I would not tell you now, but that you have brought me the cheer that I need. How good you have always been to me, Peggy. I wonder if the world holds anything sweeter than a Quaker maid! That one should so highly esteem me——” He smiled at her with sudden radiance. “I shall have pleasant thoughts to go with me now, Peggy. You will tell her?”
“Yes,” she answered, and added chokingly: “I wish father were here.”
“And so do I. I hoped that he would be with me at the end; I believe that he would be here if he could.”
“Thee shall not be alone, Clifford. I am going to be with thee.” Peggy spoke bravely enough, but her eyes grew dark at the very thought, and she began to tremble.
“Not for the world, Peggy!” he cried, horrified. “I would like to have Cousin David with me, but not you. Oh, not you! I can suffer firmly what ’twould kill you to see.”
“But to be alone, Clifford?”
“It can’t be helped, Peggy. I won’t have you there. Promise me that you won’t go.”
“I will do as thee wishes, my cousin,” she answered tremulously. “But—but I will be here at the door as thee comes out. I could not bear to have thee without a glimpse of a friend, or——” She could not finish.