He covered her face with kisses, while his own was bathed in tears. Without lifting his eyes or saying another word, he walked out into the darkness.
The delicious, fragrant air, loaded with the perfume of roses and honeysuckle and heliotrope, seemed to breathe a farewell caress over his heated brow, and the recollection of the loving care he had bestowed upon these flowers when he planted them to welcome his mother, flashed through his memory with a pang. He sighed and passed into the gloom, overpowered with a dread that made him feel chilled to the heart. It seemed to him as if an unseen voice was warning him of a dire misfortune he could not perceive nor avert. What could it be? Was Mercedes to be taken from him? Would her family object to him on account of his father's ruffianly behavior? Could he claim to be a gentleman, being the son of that rough? These thoughts flashed through his mind, filling him with sickening dismay and inexpressible disgust. Would he dare stand in the presence of Mercedes now? Or, would he return to town at this late hour? Where could he go for a shelter that night?
Mechanically he walked to the phæton, got into it and took the reins to drive off.
CHAPTER XXVIII.—Shall it be Forever?
Everett followed Clarence and got into the phæton with him.
“My dear brother,” said Clarence, in a hoarse voice that sounded unnatural, as if coming from a great depth, “I would like to have your company, but as I am not coming back, I can't take you with me.”
“No matter; drive off. I'll go with you a little ways, and will walk back,” said Everett. Clarence turned his horses and drove away through the middle drive in the front lawn, and was out of the gate before he fully realized that he himself was driven away from the paternal roof.
“Retty, you did not tell me that my father had insulted my darling so grossly. I wish you had, for I would not have gone inside the house,” Clarence said, with a sigh.
“It was so horrible, I couldn't. Forgive me, dear Clary.”
“Certainly; I can't blame you.”