"Nevertheless, be it he or another, thee was in the wrong, and I have done my duty,—God help us all! and is my son yet alive?" and so saying, he turned away, and without other words walked through the house with uncertain steps and went down the street, while Wholesome, with softened face, watched him from the doorstep. Then he went back quietly into the garden, and turning to Schmidt, said, "Will you oblige me by leaving me with Mistress White? I will explain to thee by and by."
Schmidt looked up surprised, but seeing how pale and stern he looked, rose and went into the house. The woman looked up expectant.
"Priscilla, the time has come when thee must choose between me and him."
"He has come back? I knew always he would come."
"Yes, he has come back: I saw him to-day," said Wholesome, "and the John Oldmixon of to-day is more than ever cruel and brutal. Will thee trust me to make thee believe that?"
"I believe thee," she returned; "but because he is this and worse, shall I forget my word or turn aside from that which, if bitter for me, may save his soul alive?"
"And yet you love me?"
"Have I said so?" she murmured with a half smile.
The young man came closer and seized both hands in his: "Will it not be a greater sin, loving me, to marry him?"
"But he may never ask me, and then I shall wait, for I had better die fit in soul to be yours than come to you unworthy of a good man's love."