SHIANA
107
Pensioner would have done? He did not do so. And when he told her that he was bound before God never to marry, it put her in double the heart. One would think that she too had been presented with some wondrous jewel. She had just admitted to Hannah that her heart was being wrung with grief. That wringing of the heart had left her. I think myself that nothing better could have happened to those two than that they should be parted as they were. I feel sure that it was no good influence that was drawing them together, and that whatever it was that was putting them apart, it was working for their good.
Abbie.—There was nothing putting them apart except that Shiana wouldn't do what was wrong.
Kate.—What put it into his heart not to do what was wrong? He need not have told any one living whether he had a secret or not. There was nothing to hinder him from marrying her; nothing to prevent him saying to himself: "Who knows if I shall live even the thirteen years? Who knows if that Black Man will ever come, after the fright he got the time he gave that extraordinary roar?" I think some good influence was moving him, otherwise he would not have resisted the making of the match so firmly and so resolutely. Then there is another thing. While the match was being made there was nothing but worry and trouble of mind for everyone who had any hand in it, and especially for Shiana and Short Mary themselves. But as soon as it was completely set aside, Mary had
