"
"Well, if you think so," replied Mrs. Browne. "But I'm sorry for her. I
always told her she was foolish to think so much about him: but I know
she'll fret a deal if it's given up."
"Oh! she'll soon comfort herself with thinking that she has saved me. I
wish she'd come. It must be near eleven. I do wish she would come. Hark! is
not that the kitchen-door?" said he, turning white, and betaking himself
once more to the china-closet. He held it ajar till he heard Maggie
stepping softly and slowly across the floor. She opened the parlor-door;
and stood looking in, with the strange imperceptive gaze of a sleep-walker.
Then she roused herself and saw that he was not there; so she came in a
step or two, and sat down in her dripping cloak on a chair near the door.
Edward returned, bold now there was no danger.
"Maggie!" said he, "what have you fixed to say to Mr. Burton?"
She sighed deeply; and then lifted up her large innocent eyes to his face.
"I cannot give up Frank," said she, in a low, quiet voice.
Mrs. Browne threw up her hands and exclaimed in terror:
"Oh Edward, Edward! go away--I will give you all the plate I have; you can
sell it--my darling, go!"
"Not till I have brought Maggie to reason," said he, in a manner as quiet
as her own, but with a subdued ferocity in it, which she saw, but which did
not intimidate her.
He went up to her, and spoke below his breath.
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