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THE BATTLE OF LIFE. |
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the red light came cheerily towards him from the windows : figures passed and repassed there: and the hum and murmur of voices greeted his ear sweetly.
Listening for hers : attempting, as he crept on, to detach it from the rest, and half-believing that he heard it: he had nearly reached the door, when it was abruptly opened, and a figure coming out encountered his. It instantly recoiled with a half-suppressed cry.
" Clemency," he said, " don't you know me ?"
"Don't come in," she answered, pushing him back. "Go away. Don't ask me why. Don't come in."
"What is the matter?" he exclaimed.
"I don't know. I—I am afraid to think. Go back. Hark ! "
There was a sudden tumult in the house. She put her hands upon her ears. A wild scream, such as no hands could shut out, was heard; and Grace—distraction in her looks and manner— rushed out at the door.
"Grace!" He caught her in his arms. "What is it! Is she dead!"
She disengaged herself, as if to recognise his face, and fell down at his feet.
A crowd of figures came about them from the house. Among them was her father, with a paper in his hand.
" What is it! " cried Alfred, grasping his hair with his hands, and looking in an agony from face to face, as he bent upon his knee beside the insensible girl. " Will no one look at me ? Will no one speak to me ? Does no one know me ? Is there no voice among you all, to tell me what it is ! "
There was a murmur among them. " She is gone."
"Gone ! " he echoed.
" Fled, my dear Alfred !" said the Doctor, in a broken voice, and with his hands before his face. " Gone from her home and us. To-night! She writes that she has made her innocent and blameless choice—entreats that we will forgive her—prays that we will not forget her—and is gone."
"With whom? Where?"
He started up, as if to follow in pursuit, but when they gave way to let him pass, looked wildly round upon them, staggered back, and sank down in his former attitude, clasping one of Grace's cold hands in his own.
There was a hurried running to and fro, confusion, noise, disorder, and no purpose. Some proceeded to disperse themselves about the roads, and some took horse, and some got lights, and some conversed together, urging that there was no trace or track |
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