dsheexperiencedthatutterweaknessofthekneessothatshefearedtofallherbreathingwasstrangelyoppressive,andherheartbeatalmostpainfully.Shewalkeddownthecarriage-drivescarcelyknowingwhatshedid.Shehadforcedherselftowaitindoorstillthedesiretogooutbecameuncontrollable,andshedarednotimagineherdismayiftherewasnoonetomeetherwhenshereachedthegate.Itwouldmeanhedidnotlovehershestoppedwithasob.Oughtshenottowaitlonger?Itwasstillearly.Butherimpatienceforcedheron.
Shegavealittlecry.Craddockhadsuddenlysteppedoutofthedarkness.
“Oh,I’msorry,”hesaid,“Ifrightenedyou.Ithoughtyouwouldn’tmindmycomingthisevening.You’renotangry?”
Shecouldnotansweritwasanimmenseloadoffherheart.Shewasextremelyhappy,forthenhedidloveherandhefearedshewasangrywithhim.
“Iexpectedyou,”shewhispered.Whatwasthegoodofpretendingtobemodestandbashful?Shelovedhimandhelovedher.Whyshouldshenottellhimallshefelt?
“It’ssodark,”hesaid,“Ican’tseeyou.”
Shewastoodeliriouslyhappytospeak,andtheonlywordsshecouldhavesaidwere,Iloveyou,Iloveyou.Shemovedastepnearersoastotouchhim.Whydidhenotopenhisarmsandtakeherinthem,andkissherasshehaddreamtthathewouldkissher?
Buthetookherhandandthecontactthrilledherherkneesweregivingway,andshealmosttottered.
“What’sthematter?”hesaid.“Areyoutrembling?”
“I’monlyalittlecold.”Shewastryingwithallhermighttospeaknaturally.Nothingcameintoherheadtosay.
“You’vegotnothingon,”hesaid.“Youmustwearmycoat.”Hebegantotakeitoff.
“No,”shesaid,“thenyou’llbecold.”
“Ohno,Ishan’t.”
Whathewasdoingseemedtoheramarvelofunselfishkindnessshewasbesideherselfwithgratitude.
“It’sawfullygoodofyou,Edward,”shewhispered,almosttearfully.
Whenheputitroundhershoulders,thetouchofhishandsmadeherlosethelittleself-controls