‘You seized something else.’
‘Your hand. If you had only known how nervous I was! I pressed your fingers to my lips. “Laura, I love you,” I stammered out.’
‘“Darling Laura,” was what he said,’ murmured Lady Dimsdale to herself.
‘Before I had time for another word, Hannah came hurrying down the steps.’
‘Dear old Hannah, with her mob-cap and prim white apron. I seem to see her now.’
‘She had an open paper in her hand. Your aunt had been taken ill, and you were instructed to go to her by the first train. You gave me one look—a look that haunted me for years—and went into the house without a word. An hour later, I saw you at the train; but your father was there, and he kept you by his side till the last moment.’
‘That miserable journey! For the first twenty miles I was alone; then an old lady got in. “Dear me, how damp this carriage feels,” she said. I rather fancy I had been crying.’
‘And we never met after that, till last evening.’
‘Never!’ murmured Lady Dimsdale almost inaudibly.
‘Two days after our parting, I was ordered abroad; but I wrote to you, not once or twice only, but many times.’