"I must
set out with the dawn — to catch the train I must take."
"With the dawn! — _this_ morning!" cried Miss Cardigan.
"Certainly. I should be there this minute, if the colonel had
not given me something to do here that kept me."
"And when will ye do it?"
"Do it! It is done," said Thorold; "before I came here. But I
must catch the first train in the morning."
"And you'll want some breakfast before that," she said rising.
"No, I shall not," said Thorold, catching hold of her. "I want
nothing. I did want my supper. Sit down, aunt Catherine, and
be quiet. I want nothing, I tell you, but more time."
"We may as well sit up the rest of the night," I said; "it is
so far gone now."
"Yes, and what will you be good for to-morrow?" said Miss
Cardigan. "You must lie down and take a bit of rest."
I felt no weariness; but I remember the grave, tender,
examination of Thorold's eyes, which seemed to touch me with
their love, to find out whether I — and himself — might be
indulged or not. It was a bit of the thoughtful, watchful
affection, which always surrounded me when he was near.
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