第84部分(第2/8 頁)

　regain　his　friendship。　I　went　out　and　approached　him　as　he　stood　leaning　over　the　little　gate；　I　spoke　to　the　point　at　once。

“St。　John；　I　am　unhappy　because　you　are　still　angry　with　me。　Let　us　be　friends。”

“I　hope　we　are　friends；”　was　the　unmoved　reply；　while　he　still　watched　the　rising　of　the　moon；　which　he　had　been　contemplating　as　I　approached。

“No；　St。　John；　we　are　not　friends　as　we　were。　You　know　that。”

“Are　we　not？　That　is　wrong。　For　my　part；　I　wish　you　no　ill　and　all　good。”

“I　believe　you；　St。　John；　for　I　am　sure　you　are　incapable　of　wishing　any　one　ill；　but；　as　I　am　your　kinswoman；　I　should　desire　somewhat　more　of　affection　than　that　sort　of　general　philanthropy　you　extend　to　mere　strangers。”

“Of　course；”　he　said。　“Your　wish　is　reasonable；　and　I　am　far　from　regarding　you　as　a　stranger。”

This；　spoken　in　a　cool；　tranquil　tone；　was　mortifying　and　baffling　enough。　Had　I　attended　to　the　suggestions　of　pride　and　ire；　I　should　immediately　have　left　him；　but　something　worked　within　me　more　strongly　than　those　feelings　could。　I　deeply　venerated　my　cousin’s　talent　and　principle。　His　friendship　was　of　value　to　me：　to　lose　it　tried　me　severely。　I　would　not　so　soon　relinquish　the　attempt　to　reconquer　it。

“Must　we　part　in　this　way；　St。　John？　And　when　you　go　to　India；　will　you　leave　me　so；　without　a　kinder　word　than　you　have　yet　spoken？”

He　nooon　and　faced　me。

“When　I　go　to　India；　Jane；　will　I　leave　you！　What！　do