“What is it?—who is it? What is the matter?—Lettice!”
The next moment two arms were clasped round his neck; he felt the heaving of breathless sobs, and an agonised voice called on him by name—
“Oh, father, father! save me! save me! I can’t go on! I can’t marry him! My heart will break—!”
Chapter Twenty Five.
Broken Plans.
The light was still dim the next morning when Hilary woke with a start to find her father standing by her bedside. Even in the first sleepy glance she was struck by the pale distress of his face, and sat up hurriedly, pushing back the hair from her face, and murmuring a confused “What—what—what?”
“My dear, I am sorry to disturb you, but I need your help.” Mr Bertrand seated himself on the edge of the bed, and took the girl’s hands in his. “Hilary, a great trouble has come upon us. Lettice wishes to break off her engagement. She cannot bear the idea of marrying Arthur Newcome. There will be no wedding on Thursday as we expected.”
Hilary stared at him with dazed eyes. Her awakening from sleep had been so sudden, and the news was so overwhelming, that it was some moments before she could grasp its full meaning.