[A Perilous Secret by Charles Reade]@TWC D-Link book
A Perilous Secret

CHAPTER XV
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"Yes," said he, eagerly; "let us go there again next week." "Not next week, not next month, not next year, nor ever again until we have told all the world." "Well, Mary," said Walter, "it's for you to command and me to obey.

I said so before, and I say so now, if you are not ashamed of me, how can I be ashamed of you; you say the word, and I will tell my father at dinner-time, before Julia Clifford and John Baker, and request them to tell everybody they know, that I am married to a woman I adore, and there is nobody I care for on earth as I do for her, and nothing I value compared with her love and her esteem." Mary put her arm tenderly around her husband's neck; and now it was with her as it is often with generous and tender-hearted women, when all opposition to their wishes is withdrawn, they begin to see the other side.
"My dearest," said Mary, "I couldn't bear you to sacrifice your prospects for me." "Why, Mary," said Walter, "what would my love be worth if it shrank from self-sacrifice?
I really think I should feel more pleasure than pain if I gave up friends, kindred, hope, everything that is supposed to make life pleasant for you." "And so would I for you," said Mary; "and oh, Walter, women have presentiments, and something tells me that fate has great trials in store for you or for me, perhaps for both.

Yes, you are right, the true measure of love must be self-sacrifice, and if there is to be self-sacrifice, oh, let the self-sacrifice fall on me; for I can not think any man can love a woman quite so deeply as I love you--my darling." He had only time to draw her sweet forehead to his bosom, whilst her arm encircled his neck, when in came an ordinary love by way of contrast.
Julia Clifford and Percy came in, walking three yards apart: Percy had untied the apron strings without Walter's assistance.
"Ah," said she, "you two are not like us.

I am ashamed to interrupt you; but they would not let us go down the mine without an order from Mr.
Hope.

Really, I think Mr.Hope is king of this country.


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