“Is that you, Margaret?”
“Yes, it is I,” and Margaret stood still and motionless until Raby touched her.
“Have you seen him, dear?”
“Yes, it is all over.” And then she said a little wildly, “I have done my duty, Raby; I have broken his heart and my own;” but even as she spoke, Raby took her in his arms and low words of blessings seemed to falter on his lips. “My brave sister, but I never doubted for a moment that you would do the right thing. And now be comforted; the same Divine Providence that has exacted this sacrifice will watch over Hugh.”
“I know it,” she said, weeping bitterly; “but he will have to suffer—if I could only suffer for both!”
“He will not suffer one pang too much,” was the quiet answer; “but you are worn out, and I will not talk more to you to-night. Go to your own room, Margaret; tomorrow we will speak of this again.” But before she left him he blessed her once more.
CHAPTER V.
THE LITTLE PRINCESS.
Her feet beneath her petticoat,
Like little mice, stole in and out,