24/27 You were strange to me; we were there alone with the negro, and--and somehow it seemed a protection to me to claim a drop of black blood. Twice I thought to tell you--the words were on my lips--but something stopped them. Possibly, just a little, I was afraid of you." "Then--but not now ?" "No, not now--not even a little; you have proven yourself all I ever hoped you would be. I am glad--so glad--to say to you now, I am Eloise Beau--" She stopped suddenly, the word half uttered, the smile fading from her lips. She withdrew her hands from my clasp and pressed them over her eyes. |