Fate has been cruel. I have never told you the
story of my life. I have suffered deeply; my pride has been humiliated, and
I have endured hunger and cold; but those sufferings were light compared to
this last misfortune.'
She looked at him with sublime pity in her eyes. 'I do not conceal from
you,' she said, 'that I love you very much. I, too, have suffered, and I
had thought for one moment that fate had vouchsafed me happiness; but, as
you would say--the irony of life.'
'Julia, do not say you never will?'
'We cannot look into the future. But this I can say--I will not do Emily
any wrong, and so far as is in my power I will avoid giving her pain. There
is only one way out of this difficulty. I must leave this house as soon as
I can persuade her to let me go.'
The door opened; involuntarily the speakers moved apart; and though their
faces and attitudes were strictly composed when Emily entered, she knew
they had been standing closer together.
'I'm afraid I'm interrupting you,' she said.
'No, Emily; pray do not go away. We were only talking about you.'
'If I were to leave every time you begin to talk about me, I should spend
my life in my room. I daresay you have many faults to find.
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