She had ofttimes suspected the state of her heart; but instead of
sighing, pining, and twanging her guitar to love-sick ditties, she would
fly into so violent a rage at her own folly that nothing might quell the
disturbance until fairly worn out by its own vehemency. No one suspected
the truth--yes, one forsooth--gentle reader, canst thou guess? It was no
less a personage than our one-shouldered friend Timothy Dodge! How the
cunning rogue had contrived to get at the secret is more than we dare
tell. Sure enough he had it; and as certain too that another should be
privy to the fact--to wit, Edward Kelly the seer. Dodge was a fitting
tool for this intriguer, and well able to help him out at a pinch.
Affairs were in this position when our story commenced. Rodolf had
formidable auxiliaries at hand, had he been disposed to make the attack;
but his stay was now short--Kate was petulant and perverse--the siege
might be tedious. Just on the verge of relinquishing he met Kate, as we
have before seen, going to church. He caught her for the once completely
off her guard, and the rich blush that ensued set a crowd of odd fancies
jingling through his brain.
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