"
His arms dropped from around her as if he had been struck dead.
Glad to be free, Marian arose to depart. Thurston sat still--his fine
countenance overclouded with mortification and anger. Marian hesitated;
she knew not how to proceed. He did not offer to rise and attend her. At
length she spoke.
"Will you see me safely through the woods, Thurston?"
He did not answer.
"Thurston, it is nearly dark--there are several runaway negroes in the
forest now, and the road will not be safe for me."
"Good-night, then," she said.
"Good-night, Marian."
She turned away and ascended the steps with her heart filled nearly to
bursting with grief, indignation and fear. That he should let her take
that long, dark, dangerous walk alone! it was incredible! she could
scarcely realize it, or believe it! Her unusually excited feelings lent
wings to her feet, and she walked swiftly for about a quarter of a mile,
and then was forced to pause and take breath. And then every feeling of
indignation and fear was lost in that of sorrow, that she had wounded
his feelings, and left him in anger. And Marian dropped her face into
her open hands and wept. A step breaking through the brushwood made her
start and tremble.
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