I.
It was just dusk when Pierre approached the Ulver farm-house,
in a wagon belonging to the Black Swan Inn. He
met his sister shawled and bonneted in the porch.
“Now then, Isabel, is all ready? Where is Delly? I see
two most small and inconsiderable portmanteaux. Wee is the
chest that holds the goods of the disowned! The wagon waits,
Isabel. Now is all ready? and nothing left?”
“Nothing, Pierre; unless in going hence—but I'll not think
of that; all's fated.”
“Delly! where is she? Let us go in for her,” said Pierre,
catching the hand of Isabel, and turning rapidly. As he thus
half dragged her into the little lighted entry, and then dropping
her hand, placed his touch on the catch of the inner door, Isabel
stayed his arm, as if to keep him back, till she should forewarn
him against something concerning Delly; but suddenly
she started herself; and for one instant, eagerly pointing at his
right hand, seemed almost to half shrink from Pierre.
“'Tis nothing. I am not hurt; a slight burn—the merest
accidental scorch this morning. But what's this?” he added,
lifting his hand higher; “smoke! soot! this comes of going
in the dark; sunlight, and I had seen it. But I have not
touched thee, Isabel?”
Isabel lifted her hand and showed the marks.—“But it came
from thee, my brother; and I would catch the plague from
thee, so that it should make me share thee. Do thou clean thy
hand; let mine alone.”
“Delly! Delly!”—cried Pierre—“why may I not go to her,
to bring her forth?”
Placing her finger upon her lip, Isabel softly opened the
door, and showed the object of his inquiry avertedly seated,
muffled, on a chair.
“Do not speak to her, my brother,” whispered Isabel, “and
do not seek to behold her face, as yet. It will pass over now,
ere long, I trust. Come, shall we go now? Take Delly forth,
but do not speak to her. I have bidden all good-by; the old
people are in yonder room in the rear; I am glad that they
chose not to come out, to attend our going forth. Come now,
be very quick, Pierre; this is an hour I like not; be it swiftly
past.”
Soon all three alighted at the inn. Ordering lights, Pierre
led the way above-stairs, and ushered his two companions into
one of the two outermost rooms of the three adjoining chambers
prepared for all.
“See,” said he, to the mute and still self-averting figure of
Delly;—“see, this is thy room, Miss Ulver; Isabel has told
thee all; thou know'st our till now secret marriage; she will
stay with thee now, till I return from a little business down
the street. To-morrow, thou know'st, very early, we take the
stage. I may not see thee again till then, so, be steadfast, and
cheer up a very little, Miss Ulver, and good-night. All will
be well.”
