Burleigh, catching the
infection of her fears. "I will have Mr. Burleigh see that he is
kept away from this place."
Soon after, as Miss Burton was passing through the main hall-way,
she met the artist, and stepping into one of the small parlors that
was unoccupied, she said:
"Mr. Van Berg, I wish to speak with you. I wish both to thank you,
and to ask a favor."
"Please do the latter only," he replied, smiling.
"Mr. Van Berg," she resumed, looking into his face with an expression
that made his heart beat more quickly, "your life was endangered
on my account this afternoon."
"That's a pleasant thought to me," he said, taking her hand, "that
is if you are not offended that I presumed to be your knight."
"It is a dreadful thought to me," she answered, earnestly; then in
a strange and excited manner she added: "You cannot know--death
to some is a horrible thing--it prevents so much--I've known--let
it come to the old and sad--I could welcome it--but to such as
you--O merciful Heaven! Grant me, please grant me, the favor I
would ask," she continued, clinging to his hand. "They say this
man Sibley is very passionate and revengeful. He may still try
to carry out his dreadful purpose.
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