Now, if I do own it--"
"It--what? Let me hear! I'm very stupid, you know!" said Frank, in
a voice of exulting comprehension, belying his alleged stupidity.
"What you have been to me--"
"Have been--eh?" said this cruel cross-examiner.
"Do not let us waste time," said Eleonora, in a trembling voice;
"you know very well."
"Do I?"
"Now, Frank!"
"If you only knew what it would be worth to me to hear you say it!"
"I'm afraid it would be only worth pain and grief to you, and anger
from every one," said she, in a low dejected voice, "far more than I
am worth."
"You? Trust me to judge of that, Lenore. Would not you be worth
all, and more than all, that flesh or spirit could feel! I could
face it all for one look from you!" said Frank, with fervour from
his heart of hearts.
"You make me more and more afraid. It is all too wretched to lead
any one into. Since I knew the whole truth, I have tried to spare
you from it."
"That is why you have been so cold, and held so cruelly aloof all
this time, so that if I had not caught one ray now and then, you
would have broken my heart, Lenore; as it is, I've been wretched
beyond description, hardly able to sleep by night or speak
rationally by day.
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