Between Snow and Fire — page 105: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ry. with the docility of a dog. ‘It was good for both of us, _ «84 MADNESS OF FAREWELLS.” Eanswyth, my life. Now, do you think it was exactly de- lightful to me.” eve «“ N=no,” she replied plaintively, pressing to her side the arm which he had passed through hers as they walked. “ Though, of late, I haven't known what to think.” “ They will know what to think if you go on looking so ridiculously happy,” he said meaningly. “ The gossip- loving soul of mother Hoste will be mighty quick at putting two and two together. And then?” “Andthen? And then—I don’t care—I've got you again,” she answered with a gleeful laugh. “ You—do you hear? You—you—you.”’ He looked rather grave. A struggle seemed to be going oh within him. * But you won't have me very long, my dear one. I am on my way to the front. In fact, I startthis very night. I, and Hoste, and Payne.” No fear of her too happy look betraying her now. It faded from her éyes like the sunlight from the surface of a pool when the black thunder-cloud sweeps over it. It gave place to a stricken, despairing expression, which went to his heart. “ You have come back to me only to leave me again? O Eustace—Eustace! Iam a very wicked woman, and this is my punishment. But how can I bear it!” Then he calined her. Strong as he was, his voice shook a little as he reasoned with her, pointing out how this course was in every way the best. He could not remain away down in the Colony, he said, and he had absolutely no pretext for staying on at Komgha. Besides, in a small, crowded and gossipy place, it would be downright madness to attempt it. ‘Their secret would be common property in a day. He was too restless and unhappy away from her, and at ptesént it was impossible to remain near her. The chances and excitement of the cathpaign offered the only way out of it. After that, brighter times were in stote— brighter times, perhaps, than they dared dreatn of. He calmed her—by the force of his reasoning——-by the very magietism of his influence; most of all, perhaps, by the power and certainty of his love. Never again could she doubt this—never—come what might. And she was to that extent happy amtid her grief, GEomilcbooks.co m a = # Ys ; =