Clemency flushed, and looking down at the table, began to pleat a fold in the cloth with nervous fingers.
"Poor little Nick hasn't been very well lately, and I—can't leave him alone—" she began.
"Then bring him with you."
"And," she continued slowly, "when I wrote you that letter I was—greatly afraid, but I'm—not afraid any longer. And oh, I couldn't leave London yet—I couldn't!"
Now while she spoke, Barnabas saw her clasp and wring her hands together, that eloquent gesture he remembered so well. Therefore he leaned across the table and touched those slender fingers very gently.
"Why not? Tell me your trouble, my sister."
Now Clemency bowed her dark head, and when she spoke her voice was low and troubled: "Because—he is ill—dangerously ill, Milo tells me, and I—I am nearer to him here in London. I can go, sometimes, and look at the house where he lies. So you see, I cannot leave him, yet."
"Then—you love him, Clemency?"
"Yes," she whispered, "yes, oh yes, always—always! That was why I ran away from him. Oh, I love him so much that I grew afraid of my love, and of myself, and of him. Because he is a great gentleman, and I am only—what I am."
"A very good and beautiful woman!" said Barnabas.
"Beauty!" she sighed, "oh, it is only for that he—wanted me, and dear heaven! I love him so much that—if he asked me—I fear—" and she hid her burning face in hands that trembled.
"Clemency!"
The word was hoarse and low, scarcely more than a whisper, but, even so, Clemency started and lifted her head to stare wide-eyed at the figure leaning in the doorway, with one hand outstretched to her appealingly; a tall figure, cloaked from head to foot, with hat drawn low over his brows, his right arm carried in a sling. And as she gazed, Clemency uttered a low, soft cry, and rose to her feet.
"My Lord!" she whispered, "oh, my Lord!"
"Dearest!"
The Viscount stepped into the room and, uncovering his head, sank upon his knees before her.
"Oh, Clemency," said he, "the door was open and I heard it all—every word. But, dearest, you need never fear me any more—never any more, because I love you. Clemency, and here, upon my knees, beg you to honor me by—marrying me, if you will stoop to such a pitiful thing as I am. Clemency dear, I have been ill, and it has taught me many things, and I know now that I—cannot live without you. So, Clemency, if you will take pity on me—oh! Clemency—!"
The Viscount stopped, still kneeling before her with bent head, nor did he look up or attempt to touch her as he waited her answer.
Then, slowly, she reached out and stroked that bowed and humble head, and, setting her hands upon his drooping shoulders, she sank to her knees before him, so that now he could look into the glowing beauty of her face and behold the deep, yearning tenderness of her eyes.
"Dear," said she very gently, "dear, if you—want me so much you have only to—take me!"
"For my Viscountess, Clemency!"
"For your—wife, dear!"
And now, beholding their great happiness, Barnabas stole from the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Then, being only human, he sighed deeply and pitied himself mightily
by contrast.
CHAPTER LIX
WHICH RELATES, AMONG OTHER THINGS, HOW BARNABAS LOST HIS HAT
Now as Barnabas stood thus, he heard another sigh, and glancing up beheld Mr. Shrig seated at the little Cobbler's bench, with a guttering candle at his elbow and a hat upon his fist, which he appeared to be examining with lively interest.
"Sir," said he, as Barnabas approached, wondering, "I'm taking the liberty o' looking at your castor."
"Oh!" said Barnabas.
"Sir, it's a werry good 'at as 'ats go, but it's no kind of an 'at for you to-night."
"And why not, Mr. Shrig?"
"Because it ain't much pertection ag'in windictiveness—in the shape of a bludgeon, shall ve say, and as for a brick—v'y, Lord! And theer's an uncommon lot of windictiveness about to-night; it's a-vaiting for you—as you might say—round the corner."
"Really, Mr. Shrig, I'm afraid I don't understand you."
"Sir, d' ye mind a cove o' the name o' 'Vistling Dick,' as got 'isself kicked to death by an 'orse?"
"Yes."
"And d' ye mind another cove commonly known as 'Dancing Jimmy,' and another on 'em as is called 'Bunty Fagan'?"
"Yes, they tried to rob me once."
"Right, sir,—only I scared 'em off, you'll remember. Conseqvently, p'r'aps you ain't forgot certain other coves as you and me had a bit of a turn-up vith v'en I sez to you 'Run,' and you sez to me 'No,' and got a lump on your sconce like an 'ard-biled egg according?"
"Yes, I remember of course, but why—"
"Sir, they 're all on 'em out on the windictive lay again to-night, —only, this time, it's you they 're arter."
