"You know poor little Jacquelina has fallen into very bad health and
spirits? Well, her physicians recommend change of air and scene, and her
friends have decided to take her to Washington to pass the remainder of
the winter. And the little creature has set her sickly fancy upon having
me to go with her. Now, I think it is some sort a duty to go, and I
would not willingly refuse. Nevertheless, dear Thurston, I dread to
leave you, and if you think you will be very lonesome this winter
without me--if you are likely to miss me one-half as much as I have
missed you these last three weeks, I will not leave you at all."
He put his hand out and took hers, and pressed it, and would have
carried it to his lips, but her wicked little pony suddenly jerked away.
"My own dearest Marian," he said; "my frank, generous love! if I were
going to remain in this neighborhood this winter, no consideration, I
fear, for others' good, would induce me to consent to part with you."
It was now Marian's turn to change color, and falter in her tones, as
she asked:
"You--you are not going away?"
"Sweet Marian, yes! A duty--a necessity too imperative to be denied,
summons me."
She kept her eyes fixed on his face in painful anxiety.
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