But with the last words her head went down upon his shoulder again with a passionate burst of weeping.
A storm of feeling swept over Kenneth as he held her close, not speaking, for he could find no words, but softly smoothing her hair, gently pressing one of the small, thin hands which he had taken in his.
He could not forgive Lyttleton at that moment, he felt that he could crush him under foot as he would a viper that had stung this precious little sister, and poisoned two other lives. His own must be dark and dreary without sweet Nell, and what better could hers be, passed in the society of such a wretch, nay, more, in the closest union with him.
Alas! alas! hers was the saddest fate of all, and none the less to be pitied because she had in some measure brought it upon herself.
In some measure? Ah, was he utterly blameless, Kenneth Clendenin?
The question came to him with a sharp pang of self-reproach. He had won her affection, his lips had never breathed a syllable of love. Then who was he that he should be so fierce against this other transgressor?
The tempest of emotion had spent itself, and Marian lay pale and exhausted in his arms, trembling like a leaf.
Very gently he raised her, and bidding her cling about his neck, bore her in those strong arms to the house, Caius running on before to announce their coming.
Mrs. Clendenin met them in the porch, her face full of anxiety and alarm.
"Kenneth! what is it?"