It
would embitter our lives, if I were then half in the dark, as I am
now!'
Knight spoke the latter sentences with growing force.
'It cannot be,' she said.
'Why not?' he asked sharply.
Elfride was distressed to find him in so stern a mood, and she
trembled. In a confusion of ideas, probably not intending a
wilful prevarication, she answered hurriedly--
'If he's dead, how can you meet him?'
'Is he dead? Oh, that's different altogether!' said Knight,
immensely relieved. 'But, let me see--what did you say about that
tomb and him?'
'That's his tomb,' she continued faintly.
'What! was he who lies buried there the man who was your lover?'
Knight asked in a distinct voice.
'Yes; and I didn't love him or encourage him.'
'But you let him kiss you--you said so, you know, Elfride.'
She made no reply.
'Why,' said Knight, recollecting circumstances by degrees, 'you
surely said you were in some degree engaged to him--and of course
you were if he kissed you. And now you say you never encouraged
him. And I have been fancying you said--I am almost sure you did--
that you were sitting with him ON that tomb. Good God!' he
cried, suddenly starting up in anger, 'are you telling me
untruths? Why should you play with me like this? I'll have the
right of it. Elfride, we shall never be happy! There's a blight
upon us, or me, or you, and it must be cleared off before we
marry.' Knight moved away impetuously as if to leave her.
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