Circumstances have occurred, however, which have forced him
to alter his plans. He must take you all back with him to-morrow
because I am not able to assume the charge of you. I am obliged
to give up my holiday in Italy, and return to England too.'
Agnes looked at him in some little perplexity: she was not quite
sure whether she understood him or not.
'Are you really obliged to go back?' she asked.
Henry smiled as he answered her. 'Keep the secret,' he said,
'or Montbarry will never forgive me!'
She read the rest in his face. 'Oh!' she exclaimed, blushing brightly,
'you have not given up your pleasant holiday in Italy on my account?'
'I shall go back with you to England, Agnes. That will be holiday
enough for me.'
She took his hand in an irrepressible outburst of gratitude.
'How good you are to me!' she murmured tenderly. 'What should I have
done in the troubles that have come to me, without your sympathy?
I can't tell you, Henry, how I feel your kindness.'
She tried impulsively to lift his hand to her lips. He gently
stopped her. 'Agnes,' he said, 'are you beginning to understand
how truly I love you?'
That simple question found its own way to her heart.
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