Besides, you know what she threatens!"
"She shall not hurt me. I will take care of myself for your sakes. Your
life shall not be clouded by scandal about your uncle."
"How are you to prevent it, uncle dear? Fulfil her threat or not, she
would be sure to talk!"
"When she sees it can serve no purpose, she will hardly risk reprisals."
"She will certainly not risk them when she finds we have said good-bye."
"But how would that serve me, little one? What! would you heap on your
uncle's conscience, already overburdened, the misery of keeping two
lovely lovers apart? I will tell you what I have resolved upon. I will
have no more secrets from you, Orba. Oh, how I thank you, dearest, for
not casting me off!"
Again I threw myself on my knees by his bed.
"Uncle," I cried, my heart ready to break with the effort to show itself,
"if I did not now love you more than ever, I should deserve to be cast
out, and trodden under foot!--What do you think of doing?"
"I shall leave the country, not to return while the woman lives."
"I'm ready, uncle," I said, springing to my feet; "--at least I shall be
in a few minutes!"
"But hear me out, little one," he rejoined, with a smile of genuine
pleasure; "you don't know half my plan yet. How am I to live abroad, if
my property go to rack and ruin? Listen, and don't say anything till I
have done; I have no time to lose; I must get up at once.
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