"Leonie," he said, pausing between each word as though to control an almost irresistible desire, "you must not speak with such despair. You are not—alone. If a steadfast friendship—the love of a—brother—will be a consolation to you, I offer you myself. Leonie, little girl, trust me."
"Trust you?" she echoed; "with my whole heart. Ah! what am I saying? Forget it! I—I am weak—too miserable to think. Mr. Pyne, if you have any pity for me, I beg that you will go away. I cannot—come to—you again to do the work——"
"Don't speak of that now. What do I care for the work or anything else, when you are in trouble like this? Leonie, don't look like that! Oh, child! if I might only bear it for you. You must not send me away, dear! There is so much to be done, and I must do it for you. Have you no woman friend?"
"No. Dad and I have lived all alone, caring only for each other. Oh, dad! why did you leave me with this frightful burden to bear alone? Why could you not take me with you? I feel as if I were going mad."
"Hush, dear! There are others to whom you are necessary. Leonie, I must tell you, great sin though I am committing in doing so. My darling, I love you with all the soul in my body, with all the strength of my being. Can you not see it? Do you not know it? Leonie, what have I said to cause you to look at me like that?"
"You love me?" she whispered, the words more a breath than an articulation—"you love me?"
"Dearest, can you doubt it? I know that I am the greatest scoundrel living, to tell you so. But how can I see you in such distress and not speak, when my heart is full to overflowing? Darling, look at me."
She had buried her face in her hands, and was rocking herself to and fro in her abandonment to a grief that was well nigh killing her. At his command she dropped her hands exposing to him an expression of agony that he had never seen equaled. With a suppressed cry he took her in his arms and covered her lips with passionate kisses.
"My love, my love, you madden me!" he whispered. "What terrible shadow is it that is darkening your life? You love me! I see it in the expression of your sweet, sad eyes, and yet the knowledge of my love brings you but pain. Leonie, what is it?"
"I cannot tell you," she cried hoarsely. "I entreat you to leave me! I will tell you that there is a shadow upon my life, the knowledge of which reached me within the last few hours, that has forever wrecked my happiness. There is no relief that can ever come to me but death! If I love you, it but makes the curse the greater, and the assurance of reciprocation is anguish!"