CHAPTER XX 277
" Little friend," said he, in quite a changed tone-- while his face changed too, losing all its softness and gravity, and becoming harsh and sarcastic-- " you have noticed my tender penchant for Miss Ingram: don ' t you think if I married her she would regenerate me with a vengeance?"
He got up instantly, went quite to the other end of the walk, and when he came back he was humming a tune.
" Jane, Jane," said he, stopping before me, " you are quite pale with your vigils: don ' t you curse me for disturbing your rest?"
" Curse you? No, sir."
" Shake hands in confirmation of the word. What cold fingers! They were warmer last night when I touched them at the door of the mysterious chamber. Jane, when will you watch with me again?"
" Whenever I can be useful, sir."
" For instance, the night before I am married! I am sure I shall not be able to sleep. Will you promise to sit up with me to bear me company? To you I can talk of my lovely one: for now you have seen her and know her."
" Yes, sir." " She ' s a rare one, is she not, Jane?" " Yes, sir."
" A strapper-- a real strapper, Jane: big, brown, and buxom; with hair just such as the ladies of Carthage must have had. Bless me! there ' s Dent and Lynn in the stables! Go in by the shrubbery, through that wicket."
As I went one way, he went another, and I heard him in the yard, saying cheerfully-