Page:Lippincotts Monthly Magazine-39.djvu/55

Rh had never felt her so near to me; I do not mean physically: I felt as if we were living one life.

"If I am mistaken in you, tell me now!" were her first words.

I looked up and received her downward gaze. I don't remember making any verbal reply: we were in a mood to speak without speaking.

Suddenly she began to sob. "Oh, how helpless I am!" she moaned, brokenly and passionately. "I meant to make him pay the uttermost farthing. I promised myself!—I swore it! Why did I ever see you? He is your brother! he is your brother!"

"I have no brother, Sinfire," I said.

She took her hand from mine and pressed it over her eyes. "I did not know I was coming here," she said, after a moment, below her breath. "You seemed to understand I don't see how you could, though," she broke off.

"Because I know him, and love you," said I.

At the last words, spoken with all the meaning of a man, her cheeks flamed, and that strange feeling of being one with her seemed, for a moment, to become absolute. But no; she stood back, with repelling hands, and said, "I do not wish it! I cannot bear it!" She was trembling; and no wonder,—standing between love and hate!

Something sweet, but terrible, bloomed in my heart. A veil was withdrawn from my eyes, and I saw my way, clearly, to the end.

It is decidedly irritating to be laid on one's back in this way, just when one would most wish to be more than usually active and efficient. But the milk is spilt, and worrying will not restore it to the pitcher. I must keep quiet and hope for better things. At all events, I have abundant opportunity to indulge my new hobby of writing.

The topic of special interest at present is the burglars. From information we have received, as the newspapers say, we are in a position to state that there is a probability of our being their next victims. No doubt they are a skilful gang of rascals; but even an amateur thief might operate in this neighborhood with comparative security. We have two or three infirm and erratic constables to take charge of twenty or thirty square miles of territory; and the facilities for escape and concealment afforded by the topography of this region are all that the most fastidious could desire. Accordingly, we have seriously made up our minds to defend ourselves, and not only that, but, if possible, to bag the burglars into the bargain.