Читать книгу The Dark River онлайн

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"Enough. The truth is told at last, and we two alone know it. Naia's true name is McLeod. Had she come from my own body, I could not love her more."

Mauri broke off, waiting anxiously for her companion to speak. The old woman moved the lamp a little more to one side and sat for a time gazing at the floor in front of her, rubbing her knees gently with her open palms.

"Mauri, why have you told me this?" she asked. "Your secret shall be well kept, but why have you told me?"

"Naia is no longer a child," Mauri replied. "There have been times, many times, when I have felt deeply the wrong I have done her. And I have felt the grief, the anger, of the parents in their graves. Is it they who accuse me or my own heart? Naia is of English blood. What right have I to keep her?"

"You have some reason for speaking of this now. What is it?"

"It is true. I have received a letter from the Low Islands. There is a family on the island of Amanu well known to me. They seek a wife for their son. The parents, at the young man's request, have asked for Naia."