"Izz!--how weak of you--for such as I!" he said, and fell into
reverie. "Then--suppose I had asked YOU to marry me?"
"If you had I should have said 'Yes', and you would have married a
woman who loved 'ee!"
"Really!"
"Down to the ground!" she whispered vehemently. "O my God! did you
never guess it till now!"
By-and-by they reached a branch road to a village.
"I must get down. I live out there," said Izz abruptly, never having
spoken since her avowal.
Clare slowed the horse. He was incensed against his fate, bitterly
disposed towards social ordinances; for they had cooped him up in a
corner, out of which there was no legitimate pathway. Why not be
revenged on society by shaping his future domesticities loosely,
instead of kissing the pedagogic rod of convention in this ensnaring
manner?
"I am going to Brazil alone, Izz," said he. "I have separated from
my wife for personal, not voyaging, reasons. I may never live with
her again. I may not be able to love you; but--will you go with me
instead of her?"
"You truly wish me to go?"
"I do. I have been badly used enough to wish for relief. And you at
least love me disinterestedly."
"Yes--I will go," said Izz, after a pause.
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