I ha' stole yer money, and I
ain't brought back Maurice. That's my news, Missie."
"Yes," said Cecile vaguely, "that's the news." She was still quiet--so
quiet that one would suppose she scarcely felt. This was true; the
blow was so sudden and sharp that it produced no pain as yet, but her
usually sweet and tranquil blue eyes had a dazed and startled look,
and her hands were locked tightly together.
Joe, frightened more by a calm so unnatural than he would be by any
exclamation, threw himself on the ground at her feet.
"Oh, Miss Cecile--my little lady, my little princess, who I love--I
know I ha' broke yer heart; I know it bitter well. But don't, don't
look like that. I know I ha' broke yer heart, and you can never,
never forgive me--but oh! don't, don't look like that."
"Yes, Jography, I do forgive you," answered Cecile. "It was a
dreadful temptation; it was too strong for you, poor Jography. Yes,
perhaps my heart is broken; but I quite forgive you. I have not much
pain. All the bad news does not hurt as it ought. I have a weight
here," pointing to her breast, "and my head is very light, and
something is singing in my ears; but I know quite well what has
happened: little Maurice is gone! Little, little darling Maurice is
quite and really lost! and Lovedy's purse is stolen away! And--I
think perhaps the dream is right--and there is--no--_Jesus
Christ_. Oh, Joe, Joe--the--singing--in my head!"
Here the tightly folded hands relaxed their strained tension, the
blue eyes closed, and Cecile lay unconscious at Joe's feet.
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