... We shall always
love one another, shall we not? If anything ever came between us it would
kill me.... That poor old man lying dead up-stairs! He loved me very
dearly, and I loved him, too. Yet I said just now I could not have married
him even if I had known it would save his life. I was wrong; yes, I would
have married him if I had known.... You don't believe me?'
'My dearest girl, you must try to forget that Mr. Burnett ever entertained
so foolish a thought. He was a very good man, and loved you for a long time
as he should have loved you--as a daughter. We shall respect his memory
best by forgetting the events of the last six weeks. And now, Emily, dinner
will be ready at seven o'clock, and it is now six. What are you going to
do?'
'I shall go out for a little walk. I shall go down and see the swans.'
'Shall I come with you?'
'No, thank you, dear; I think I'd sooner be alone. I want to think.'
Julia looked a moment anxiously at this fragile girl, whose tiny head was
poised on a long, delicate neck like a fruit on its stem.
'Yes, go for a walk, dear,' said Julia; 'it will do you good. Shall I go
and fetch your hat and jacket?'
'No, thank you, I will not trouble you; I'll go myself.
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