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           "Youwantrestandquiet.Youlookwretchedlyill.""Oh,itisnothing!"saidI,tryingtosmile."Itwasonlyamomentaryweakness.Iamallrightagainnow.""Iamsosorrytokeepyouwaiting.Poorboy,youmusthavebeenherequitehalfanhour!Thevicarwasinthedrawing-room,and,asIknewthatyoudidnotcareforhim,IthoughtitbetterthatJaneshouldshowyouuphere.Ithoughtthemanwouldnevergo!""ThankGodhestayed!ThankGodhestayed!"Icriedhysterically."Why,whatisthematterwithyou,Austin?"sheasked,holdingmyarmasIstaggeredupfromthechair."Whyareyougladthatthevicarstayed?Andwhatisthislittlebottleinyourhand?""Nothing,"Icried,thrustingitintomypocket."ButImustgo.Ihavesomethingimportanttodo.""Howsternyoulook,Austin!Ihaveneverseenyourfacelikethat.Youareangry?""Yes,Iamangry.""Butnotwithme?""No,no,mydarling!Youwouldnotunderstand.""Butyouhavenottoldmewhyyoucame.""Icametoaskyouwhetheryouwouldalwaysloveme—nomatterwhatIdid,orwhatshadowmightfallonmyname.Wouldyoubelieveinmeandtrustmehoweverblackappearancesmightbeagainstme?""YouknowthatIwould,Austin.""Yes,Iknowthatyouwould.WhatIdoIshalldoforyou.Iamdriventoit.Thereisnootherwayout,mydarling!"Ikissedherandrushedfromtheroom.Thetimeforindecisionwasatanend.AslongasthecreaturethreatenedmyownprospectsandmyhonortheremightbeaquestionastowhatIshoulddo.Butnow,whenAgatha—myinnocentAgatha—wasendangered,mydutylaybeforemelikeaturnpikeroad