Now at this moment it was that Cleone, yet kneeling beside Barrymaine,
chanced to espy a crumpled piece of paper that lay within a yard of
her, and thus, half unwitingly, she reached out and took it up,
glanced at it with vague eyes, then started, and knitting her black
brows, read these words:
My Dear Barnabas,--The beast has discovered me.
I thought I only scorned him, but now I know I fear him,
too. So, in my dread, I turn to you. Yes, I will go now--
anywhere you wish. Fear has made me humble, and I
accept your offer. Oh, take me away--hide me, anywhere,
so shall I always be
Your grateful,
CLEMENCY.
Thus, in a while, when Barrymaine opened his eyes it was to see
Cleone kneeling beside him with bent head, and with both hands
clasped down upon her bosom, fierce hands that clenched a crumpled
paper between them. At first he thought she was weeping, but, when
she turned towards him, he saw that her eyes were tearless and very
bright, and that on either cheek burned a vivid patch of color.
"Oh, Ronald!" she sighed, her lips quivering suddenly, "I--am glad
you are better--but--oh, my dear, I wish I--were dead!"
"There, there, Clo!" he muttered, patting her stooping shoulder,
"I f-frightened you, I suppose.
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