Now at this moment it was that Cleone, yet kneeling beside Barrymaine,
chanced to espy a crumpled piece of paper that lay within a yard of
her, and thus, half unwitingly, she reached out and took it up,
glanced at it with vague eyes, then started, and knitting her black
brows, read these words: My Dear Barnabas,--The beast has discovered me.
I thought I only scorned him, but now I know I fear him,
too. So, in my dread, I turn to you. Yes, I will go now--
anywhere you wish. Fear has made me humble, and I
accept your offer. Oh, take me away--hide me, anywhere,
so shall I always be Your grateful, CLEMENCY.
Thus, in a while, when Barrymaine opened his eyes it was to see
Cleone kneeling beside him with bent head, and with both hands
clasped down upon her bosom, fierce hands that clenched a crumpled
paper between them. At first he thought she was weeping, but, when
she turned towards him, he saw that her eyes were tearless and very
bright, and that on either cheek burned a vivid patch of color.
"Oh, Ronald!" she sighed, her lips quivering suddenly, "I--am glad
you are better--but--oh, my dear, I wish I--were dead!"
"There, there, Clo!" he muttered, patting her stooping shoulder,
"I f-frightened you, I suppose. But I'm all right now, dear. W-where's
Chichester?"
"I--don't know, Ronald."
"But you, Cleone? You came here to m-meet this--this Beverley?"
"Yes, Ronald."
"D'you know w-what he is? D'you know he's a publican's son?--a vile,
low fellow masquerading as a g-gentleman? Yes, he's a p-publican's
son, I tell you!" he repeated, seeing how she shrank at this.
"And you s-stoop to such as he--s-stoop to meet him in s-such a
place as this! So I came to save you f-from yourself!"
"Did you, Ronald?"
"Yes--but oh, Cleone, you don't love the fellow, do you?"
"I think I--hate him, Ronald."
"Then you won't m-meet him again?"
"No, Ronald."
"And you'll try to be a little kinder--to C-Chichester?" Cleone
shivered and rose to her feet.
"Come!" said she, her hands once more clasped upon her bosom,
"it grows late, I must go."
"Yes. D-devilish depressing place this! G-give me your arm, Clo."
But as they turned to go, the bushes parted, and Barnabas appeared.
"Cleone!" he exclaimed.
"I--I'm going home!" she said, not looking at him.
"Then I will come with you,--if I may?"
"I had rather go--alone--with my brother."
"So pray s-stand aside, sir!" said Barrymaine haughtily through his
swollen lips, staggering a little despite Cleone's arm.
"Sir," said Barnabas pleadingly, "I struck you a while ago, but it
was the only way to save you from--a greater evil, as you know--"
"He means I threatened to s-shoot him, Clo--so I did, but it was for
your sake, to sh-shield you from--persecution as a brother should."