Her hands were clasped on her bosom, and her eyes
were dark and bright in the pallor of her face. As he looked at her the
rage died out of his voice, and it quivered with a deeper feeling.
"My dear, my dearest, are you, too, against me?" he asked.
She met his gaze without flinching, but the bright colour swept suddenly to
her cheeks and dyed them crimson.
"Then if you will go, take me with you," she said.
He fell back as if a star had dropped at his feet. For a breathless instant
she saw only his eyes, and they drew her step by step. Then he opened his
arms and she went straight into them.
"Betty, Betty," he said in a whisper, and kissed her lips.
She put her hands upon his shoulders, and stood with his arms about her,
looking up into his face.
"Take me with you--oh, take me with you," she entreated. "I can't be left.
Take me with you."
"And you love me--Betty, do you love me?"
"I have loved you all my life--all my life," she answered; "how can I begin
to unlove you now--now when it is too late? Do you think I am any the less
yours if you throw me away? If you break my heart can I help its still
loving you?"
"Betty, Betty," he said again, and his voice quivered.
"Take me with you," she repeated passionately, saying it over and over
again with her lips upon his arm.
He stooped and kissed her almost roughly, and then put her gently away from
him.
"It is the way my mother went," he said, "and God help me, I am my father's
son.
Pages:
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211