第382章 MISS MINA AND THE GROOM(63)

"If I succeed, Miss Mina, in my new employment--if I get on to higher things--is it--is it presuming too much, to ask if Imight, some day--perhaps when you are out riding alone--if Imight speak to you--only to ask if you are well and happy--"He could say no more. I saw the tears in his eyes; saw him shaken by the convulsive breathings which break from men in the rare moments when they cry. He forced it back even then. He bowed to me--oh, God, he bowed to me, as if he were only my servant! as if he were too far below me to take my hand, even at that moment! Icould have endured anything else; I believe I could still have restrained myself under any other circumstances. It matters little now; my confession must be made, whatever you may think of me. I flew to him like a frenzied creature--I threw my arms round his neck--I said to him, "Oh, Michael, don't you know that I love you?" And then I laid my head on his breast, and held him to me, and said no more.

In that moment of silence, the door of the room was opened. Istarted, and looked up. Lady Claudia was standing on the threshold.