I detailed the events of the morning, which Wingrove had not yet heard; my brief interview with the Indian maiden—her figurative prophecy that had proved but two truthful. I described the deserted dwelling; and at last read to him the letter of Lilian—read it from beginning to end.
He listened with attention, though chafing at the delay. Once or twice only did he interrupt me, with the simple expression—“Poor little Lil!”
“Poor little Lil!” repeated he when I had finished. “She too gone wi’ him!—just as Marian went six months ago!
“No—no!” he exclaimed correcting himself, in a voice that proclaimed the agony of his thoughts. “No! it war different—altogether different: Marian went willin’ly.”
“How know you that?” I said, with a half-conceived hope of consoling him.
“Know it? O stranger! I’m sure o’ it; Su-wa-nee sayed so.”
“That signifies nothing. It is not the truer of her having said so. A jealous and spiteful rival. Perhaps the very contrary is the truth? Perhaps Marian was forced to marry this, man? Her father may have influenced her: and it is not at all unlikely, since he appears to be himself under some singular influence—as if in dread of his saintly son-in-law. I noticed some circumstances that would lead one to this conclusion.”
“Thank ye, stranger, for them words!” cried the young hunter, rushing forward; and grasping me eagerly by the hand. “It’s the first bit o’ comfort I’ve had since Marian war tuk away! I’ve heerd myself that Holt war afeerd o’ Stebbins; an’ maybe that snake in the grass had a coil about him somehow. I confess ye, it often puzzled me, Marian’s takin’ it so to heart, an’ all about a bit o’ a kiss—which I wudn’t a tuk, if the Indian hadn’t poked her lips clost up to myen. Lord o’ mercy! I’d gie all I’ve got in the world, to think it war true as you’ve sayed.”
“I have very little doubt of its being true. I have now seen your rival; and I think it altogether improbable she would, of her own free will, have preferred him to you.”
“Thank ye, stranger! it’s kind in you to say so. She’s now married an’ gone: but if I thort thar had been force used, I’d ’a done long ago what I mean to do now.”