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ive. "I drew back," he said, "and clenched my hands to keep myself from strangling Urquhart. Then I broke into hurried pants, that subsided gradually into words of perplexity and amazement as I met his eye, and realized that it contained nothing but a rude sort of sympathy and good fellowship. "'How? Why? What do you mean by coming back?' I cried. 'You said you would be gone a week. You swore--' "A gay laugh interrupted me. "'And must a man keep every oath he makes, especially when it separates him from a charming betrothed, and a friend who swore that he would make this day his wedding one?' "'Urquhart!' "'Felt!' "'Are you a monster or are you--' "'A self-possessed man who is going to take in charge a crazy one. Come into the house, Mark, a dozen eyes can see us here.' "He took me in charge; he piloted me into my own dwelling--he whose whole body I had always esteemed weaker than my little finger; my enemy too, or so I considered him; the cause of half my grief, of all my shame, the beginning and end of my hatreds. "When we were closeted, as we soon were in the room I had expended so much upon to make worthy of my bride, he came and stood before me and uttered these unexpected words: "'Felt, I like you. You are the only friend I have, and I am indebted to you. Now, what have you against me?' "I was astonished. His whole look and bearing were so different from what I had expected, so different from anything I had ever seen in him before. I began to question my doubts, and dropped my eyes as he pursued: "'You have been disappointed in your marriage, I hear; but that need not make you as downcast as this. A woman as capricious as Miss Leighton might easily imagine she was too ill to go through the ceremony to-day. But she must have repented of her folly by this time, and in a week will reward you as your patience deserves. But what have I got to do with it? For incredible as it appears, your every look and tone assures me that you blame me for this mishap.' "Was he daring me? If so, he should find me his equal. I raised my eyes and surveyed him. "'Shall I tell you why this is so--why I associate Miss Leighton's caprice with your return, and regard both with suspicion? Because I have seen you look on her with love; because I have surprised the passion in your face and beheld her--' "'Well?' "The tone was indescribable. It was as if a hand had taken me by the throat and choked me. I
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