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Reade, Charles, 1814-1884

"Hard Cash"

He is
alive. He loves me still. He was bewitched, seduced, deluded. He has come
to himself. Mamma has seen him. He wants to come and beg my pardon. But
you are all afraid I shall forgive him. But I will not, for at the first
word I'll stop his mouth, and say, 'If you were happy away from me, I
suppose you would not have come back.'"
And instantly she burst out singing, with inspired eloquence and
defiance--
"Castles are sacked in war,
Chieftains are scattered far,
Truth is a fixed star--
Aileen aroon."
But, unable to sustain it, the poor Impetuosity dropped as quickly as she
had mounted, and out went her arm on the table, and her forehead sank on
her arm, and the tears began to run silently down the sweet face, so
brave for a moment.
"W--will y--you allow me to light a cigar?" said Edward. "I'm wretched
and miserable; you Tempest in petticoats, you!"
She made him a sign of assent with the hand that was dangling languidly,
but she did not speak; nor did she appeal to him any more. Alienation was
commencing. But what was worse than speaking her mind, she was for ever
at the window now, looking up and down the street; and walking with her
he felt her arm often tremble, and sometimes jerk.


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