'No,' cried Tom. 'No letters have ever reached me, except that one from
New York. But don't be uneasy on that account, for it's very likely
they have gone away to some far-off place, where the posts are neither
regular nor frequent. He said in that very letter that it might be so,
even in that city to which they thought of travelling--Eden, you know.'
'It is a great weight upon my mind,' said Mary.
'Oh, but you mustn't let it be,' said Tom. 'There's a true saying that
nothing travels so fast as ill news; and if the slightest harm had
happened to Martin, you may be sure you would have heard of it long
ago. I have often wished to say this to you,' Tom continued with an
embarrassment that became him very well, 'but you have never given me an
opportunity.'
'I have sometimes been almost afraid,' said Mary, 'that you might
suppose I hesitated to confide in you, Mr Pinch.'
'No,' Tom stammered, 'I--I am not aware that I ever supposed that. I
am sure that if I have, I have checked the thought directly, as an
injustice to you. I feel the delicacy of your situation in having to
confide in me at all,' said Tom, 'but I would risk my life to save you
from one day's uneasiness; indeed I would!'
Poor Tom!
'I have dreaded sometimes,' Tom continued, 'that I might have displeased
you by--by having the boldness to try and anticipate your wishes now and
then.
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