My excuse for
doing so is that what I have to tell you directly bears on the
question of marriage. I would have spoken to you long ago, but, until
lately, until a few days ago, I had not the faintest idea that such a
subject had even distantly visited your mind."
"Who told you that it had?" questioned Maggie. She spoke with anger.
"Who has dared to interfere-- to spread rumors? I am not going to
marry. I shall never marry."
"It is not in my power at present to tell you how the rumor has
reached me," continued Miss Heath, "but, having reached me, I want to
say a few words about-- about Annabel Lee."
"Oh, don't!" said Maggie, rising to her feet, her face pale as death.
She put her hand to her heart as she spoke. A pang, not so much mental
as bodily, had gone through it.
"My dear, I think you must listen to me while I give you a message
from one whom you dearly loved, whose death has changed you, Maggie,
whose death we have all deeply mourned."
"A message?" said Maggie; "a message from Annabel! What message?"
"I regarded it as the effects of delirium at the time," continued Miss
Heath, "and as you had fever immediately afterward, dreaded referring
to the subject. Now I blame myself for not having told you sooner, for
I believe that Annabel was conscious and that she had a distinct
meaning in her words.
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