Never, in all
her life before, had his sister seen the balance of that calm and equal
mind lost as she saw it lost now.
"How can you talk so unreasonably about your age and yourself?" she
said. "There is not a woman alive, Robert, who is good enough for you.
What is her name?"
"Bygrave. Do you know it?"
"No. But I might soon make acquaintance with her. If we only had
a little time before us; if I could only get to Aldborough and see
her--but you are going away to-morrow; your ship sails at the end of the
week."
"Thank God for that!" said Kirke, fervently.
"Are you glad to be going away?" she asked, more and more amazed at him.
"Right glad, Lizzie, for my own sake. If I ever get to my senses again,
I shall find my way back to them on the deck of my ship. This girl has
got between me and my thoughts already: she shan't go a step further,
and get between me and my duty. I'm determined on that. Fool as I am,
I have sense enough left not to trust myself within easy hail of
Aldborough to-morrow morning. I'm good for another twenty miles of
walking, and I'll begin my journey back tonight."
His sister started up, and caught him fast by the arm.
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