Willcoxen--and that will reach your grandfather's ears,
and give you trouble."
"Stay! one moment, beautiful Marian! When shall we meet again?"
"When Heaven wills."
"And when will that be, fairest?"
"I do not know; but do not visit me at the cottage, dear Thurston, it
would be indiscreet."
"Marian! I must see you often. Will you meet me on the beach to-morrow
afternoon?"
"No," answered Marian, gravely, "in this single instance, I must not
meet you, though my heart pleads like a sick child with me to do it,
Thurston, dear Thurston."
She raised her eyes to his as she spoke, and giving way to a sudden
impulse, dropped her head upon his shoulder, put her arms around his
neck, and embraced him. And then his better angel rose above the storm
of passion that was surging through his veins, and calmed the tumult,
and spoke through his lips.
"You are right, Marian--fairest and dearest, you are right. And I not
only love you best of all women, but honor you more than all men. It
shall be as you have said. I will not seek you anywhere. As the mother,
dying of plague, denies herself the parting embrace of her 'unstricken'
child--so, for your sake, will I refrain from the heaven of your
presence.
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