But tell me," he
interrupted gently, "How are you, how have you been since I saw you
last?"
"Oh, I have been well enough, thank you. Cousin Bessie is the very
personification of kindness, and gives me every comfort. I only hope
you have been as well treated as I have," I returned, with an effort
at ordinary civility.
He did not answer immediately; he looked away from me and then said
slowly.
"I have been pretty well--but not well enough. I have been studying
and working very hard."
"What, _you?_" escaped me before I could control it. He laughed an odd
little laugh and added: "Yes--_me_, I have not gone out to a dance or
pleasure party of any kind since--since you left. I have lived with my
books, day and night"
"You must have had some ominous vision in your sleep, Dr. Campbell," I
said with unrestrained surprise, "to have become converted to such
sedentary habits in so short a time."
"Yes, you are right," he answered curtly and somewhat eagerly, "I had
a strange, beautiful vision that showed me the folly and emptiness of
my life more plainly than anything else could ever have done, and I
thank that vision that I have been able to make amends in time for the
omissions and transgressions of the past."
I was half frightened at his earnest voice and serious expression, I
hardly knew what to answer him. When I did speak, I was conscious of a
tremor in my voice that must have betrayed something of the suspicion
his words had awakened in me.
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