That he would be obliged to marry Mrs. Cricklander would
seem to be an overexaction, and not just. But they were not the judges,
and must in all cases fulfill their part of honesty and truth, no matter
what might betide.
These were her convictions, and so they caused her to feel only a
God-like calm--as she went away into the purple shadows of the old
streets.
Cheiron and she had been at San Gimignano for half a week, and almost
every child in the place knew and loved her. She had always a gracious
word or a merry smile when they clustered round her, as is their
friendly way with all travelers, when she came from the Cathedral or the
strange old solitary chapel of St. Jacopo.
The Professor was waiting for her on the hotel steps, and he saw by some
extra radiance in her face that something unusual had happened.
"What is it, my child?" he asked, as they went in and up to their dinner
in the big _salle a manger_ upon the first floor, which was then nearly
always empty of guests.
"John Derringham is here, Master," she said--"and we have talked, and
now all shadows are gone--and we must only wait.
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