The red worm was on the bank. It was crawling toward me. I
went to meet it. It sprang from the ground, threw itself upon me, and
twisted itself about me. It was a human embrace, the embrace of some one
unknown that loved me!
I awoke and left the dream. But the dream never left me.
CHAPTER XXVI.
THE EVIL DRAWS NIGHER.
I rose early, and went to my uncle's room. He was awake, but complained
of headache. I took him a cup of tea, and at his request left him.
About noon Martha brought me a letter where I sat alone in the
drawing-room. I carried it to my uncle. He took it with a trembling hand,
read it, and fell back with his eyes closed. I ran for brandy.
"Don't be frightened, little one," he called after me. "I don't want
anything."
"Won't you tell me what is the matter, uncle?" I said, returning. "Is it
necessary I should be kept ignorant?"
"Not at all, my little one."
"Don't you think, uncle," I dared to continue, forgetting in my love all
difference of years, "that, whatever it be that troubles us, it must be
better those who love us should know it? Is there some good in a secret
after all?"
"None, my darling," he answered. "The thing that made me talk to you so
against secrets when you were a child, was, that I had one myself--one
that was, and is, eating the heart out of me. But that woman shall not
know and you be ignorant! I will not have a secret with _her!_--Leave me
now, please, little one.
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