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 BOOK XIII

THEY DEPART THE MEADOWS

I

was just dusk when Pierre approached the Ulver farmhouse, in a wagon belonging to the Black Swan Inn. He met his sister shawled and bonneted in the porch.

'Now then, Isabel, is all ready? Where is Delly? I see two most small and inconsiderable portmanteaux. Wee is the chest that holds the goods of the disowned! The wagon waits, Isabel. Now is all ready? and nothing left?'

'Nothing, Pierre; unless in going hence—but I'll not think of that; all's fated.'

'Delly! where is she? Let us go in for her,' said Pierre, catching the hand of Isabel, and turning rapidly. As he thus half dragged her into the little lighted entry, and then dropping her hand, placed his touch on the catch of the inner door, Isabel stayed his arm, as if to keep him back, till she should forewarn him against something concerning Delly; but suddenly she started herself; and for one instant, eagerly pointing at his right hand, seemed almost to half shrink from Pierre.

''Tis nothing. I am not hurt; a slight burn—the merest accidental scorch this morning. But what's this?' he added, lifting his hand higher; 'smoke! soot! this comes of going in the dark; sunlight, and I had seen it. But I have not touched thee, Isabel?'

Isabel lifted her hand and showed the marks.—'But it came from thee, my brother; and I would catch the 5em