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THE BATTLE OF LIFE. |
307 |
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" Ay," said Clemency. " No two people ever more so. They have had no sorrow but this." .
She raised her head as with a sudden attention to the circumstances under which she was recalling these events, and looked quickly at the stranger. Seeing that his face was turned toward the window, and that he seemed intent upon the prospect, she made some eager signs to her husband, and pointed to the bill, and moved her mouth as if she were repeating with great energy, one word or phrase to him over and over again. As she uttered no sound, and as her dumb motions like most of her gestures were of a very extraordinary kind, this unintelligible conduct reduced Mr. Britain to the confines of despair. He stared at the table, at the stranger, at the spoons, at his wife—followed her pantomime with looks of deep amazement and perplexity— asked in the same language, was it property in danger, was it he in danger, was it she—answered her signals with other signals expressive of the deepest distress and confusion—followed the motions of her lips—guessed half aloud "milk and water," "monthly warning," "mice and walnuts"—and couldn't approach her meaning.
Clemency gave it up at last, as a hopeless attempt; and moving her chair by very slow degrees a little nearer to the stranger, sat with her eyes apparently cast down but glancing sharply at him now and then, waiting until he should ask some other question. She had not to wait long; for he said, presently :
" And what is the after history of the young lady who went away ? They know it, I suppose ?"
Clemency shook her head. " I've heard," she said, " that Doctor Jeddler is thought to know more of it than he tells. Miss Grace has had letters from her sister, saying that she was well and happy, and made much happier by her being married to Mr. Alfred: and has written letters back. But there's a mystery about her life and fortunes, altogether, which nothing has cleared up to this hour, and which------"
She faltered here, and stopped.
" And which------" repeated the stranger.
" Which only one other person, I believe, could explain," said Clemency, drawing her breath quickly.
" Who may that be ?" asked the stranger.
"Mr. Michael Warden!" answered Clemency, almost in a shriek : at once conveying to her husband what she would have had him understand before, and letting Michael Warden know that he was recognised.
" You remember me, Sir ?" said Clemency, trembling with |
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