So I have run away
from you awhile--fled away to the Silent Places like the poor, hurt
creature I am. There I mean to hide until my wound is a little healed
and then I shall come back to you, my dear, that I may surround you
with my love and teach you how inexpressibly dear you are to
Your would-be daughter and ever loving, grateful,
DIANA.
"Has she money, sir?" I enquired, returning the letter.
"Very, very little, I fear."
"Then she cannot have gone very far."
"Ah, Peregrine--" the proud, old head drooped and the hand that crept
upon my dusty coat sleeve was very thin and tremulous; "ah, Peregrine,
if you love her, find her again--find her for Love's sake--and the
sake of a desolate--heartsick--old man!"
"Sir," I answered, covering this twitching hand with my own, "I
will--bring her back to you--if I have to travel the world over--I
will find her if it takes me all my life and every penny I possess!"
Then, mounting my horse, I swung him round and galloped away without
further word of farewell or so much as one backward glance.
CHAPTER III
TELLS HOW I FOUND DIANA AND SOONER THAN I DESERVED
It was growing dark when I reached a part of the road that I seemed to
recognise; therefore I checked my steed to look about me.
Surely it was here or hereabouts that, upon a never-to-be-forgotten
day, I had acted the craven and, fleeing in panic, yet (heaven be
praised!) had rushed back to be beaten into unconsciousness by Diana's
brutal assailant.
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