His resolutions were complete: to be carried out at all hazards. A thrill of stern triumph shot through James's heart, as he thought how fiercely would be avenged on themselves, his weakness and his blindness. And yet――he was surely exhausted no less in mind than in body; or he could not, even in solitude, so lose his self-controlyet, in that very moment, his head sank on his hands, and heavy sobs convulsed his whole frame. Who would recognize the imperturbable James Gordon, now? The outburst refreshed him. Ere long, he raised his head; dashed away, in indignation, the unmanly tears; pushed the dark mass of hair from his fevered forehead: and rested. The summer dawn was breaking in the east. The birds had begun to twitter, and the cows to low. For the present, the storm was over, succeeded by a stagnant calm: he could not think or reason, any more. He rose; returned to the house -entering, as he had gone, through the chapel; wearily mounted the stairs, and took refuge in his own room. There, throwing himself upon the bed, a few brief moments saw him lost in a dreamless sleep. 26 CHAPTER II. She dreams on him, that has forgot her love; WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE. ABRIELLE," said Charlie Godfrey, "GA "I hardly like to ask; but you used to tell me everything, and -Is it true that you are engaged to Mr. Gordon ?” "Is it true, Charlie? What can you mean?" cried Gabrielle, instantly crimson. 66 Never mind. Don't answer me, unless you wish. Only it did seem a little queer when I heard the report, that you should be engaged, and say nothing to me." "Heard the report, Charlie? What report? It is entirely false, at any rate. I am not engaged-or likely to be engaged. You have been to see Mr. Morris. Was it he who-" "He said nothing that you need mind. At least, he merely said that he had been told you were engaged to Mr. Gordon. Such things will get about, you know. Why, Gabrielle-!” For she had burst into a passion of tears. "Oh, Charlie! what shall I do? What will James think? I can't bear even the idea of his hearing it! What shall I do, Charlie?" "You can do nothing, my dear Gabrielle. The probability is, that Gordon will not hear it if he should, he would pay it no attention. It is the kind of thing that would go in at one ear, and out at the other, with him." But Gabrielle sobbed on. "I wish I'd held my tongue!" said Char lie, sighing: "How is it that you take things so to heart, Gabrielle? How will you ever get through the world ?" "I can't help it, Charlie. I should'nt care, if it were any one else. But James-!" There was no mistaking the tone in which that "But James-" was uttered. Charlie looked blankly away, out of the window, seeing nothing. Charlie," she said, raising her eyes, at length: "If you hear such a report again, do contradict it. Say that it is not true; and say so very positively. Will you promise ?" "Yes, I will promise." He took her hand, as though she had been a child who required to be soothed. "And I'll tell you what I'll go over and get Mr. Morris to quash the report altogether. I daresay he can. But don' cry any more. I feel wretched, when I see you ery." |