13/20 It was but for a moment she relaxed her hold; and then again she tightened her fingers round her mother's hand, and held it in a firmer grasp. 'It is Alaric, then ?' she said. My Katie, my darling, my best of darlings--will you forgive me ?' 'Oh, mamma,' said Katie, kissing her mother's hands, and her arms, and the very hem of her garment, 'oh, mamma, do not speak so. But I wish I knew what this sorrow is, so that I might share it with you; may I not be told, mamma? Alaric is in trouble.' 'What trouble--is he ill ?' 'No--he is not ill. |