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148 |
THE CHIMES. |
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He listened like a man pursued : and spoke in whispers.
" Margaret, my race is nearly run. I couldn't finish it, without a parting word with you. Without one grateful word."
" What have you done ?" she asked : regarding him with terror.
He looked at her, but gave no answer.
After a short silence, he made a gesture with his hand, as if he set her question by; as if he brushed it aside; and said,
" It's long ago, Margaret, now: but that night is as fresh in my memory as ever 'twas. We little thought, then," he added, looking round, " that we should ever meet like this. Your child, Margaret? Let me have it in my arms. Let me hold your child."
He put his hat upon the floor, and took it. And he trembled as he took it, from head to foot.
"Is it a girl?"
"Yes."
He put his hand before its little face.
" See how weak I'm grown, Margaret, when I want the courage to look at it! - Let her be a moment. I won't hurt her. It's long ago, but—What's her name ?"
"Margaret," she answered, quickly.
" I'm glad of that," he said. " I'm glad of that."
He seemed to breathe more freely; and after pausing for an instant, took away his hand, and looked upon the infant's face. But covered it again, immediately.
" Margaret! " he said; and gave her back the child. " It's Lilian's."
"Lilian's!"
" I held the same face in my arms when Lilian's mother died and left her."
"When Lilian's mother died and left her!" she repeated, wildly.
" How shrill you speak ! Why do you fix your eyes upon me so ? Margaret! "
She sank down in a chair, and pressed the infant to her breast, and wept over it. Sometimes, she released it from her embrace, to look anxiously in its face : then strained it to her bosom again. At those times : when she gazed upon it: then it was that something fierce and terrible began to mingle with her love. Then it was that her old father quailed.
" Follow her !" was sounded through the house. " Learn it, from the creature dearest to your heart!"
"Margaret," said Fern, bending over her, and kissing her upon |
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