For any mischief that may follow your interference, I hold
you responsible!"
It was evident that, with but a little further provocation, the
lioness would turn to bay; if, indeed, such were not her attitude
already. I bowed, and not very well knowing what else to do, was
about to withdraw. But, glancing again towards Priscilla, who had
retreated into a corner, there fell upon my heart an intolerable
burden of despondency, the purport of which I could not tell, but
only felt it to bear reference to her. I approached and held out my
hand; a gesture, however, to which she made no response. It was
always one of her peculiarities that she seemed to shrink from even
the most friendly touch, unless it were Zenobia's or Hollingsworth's.
Zenobia, all this while, stood watching us, but with a careless
expression, as if it mattered very little what might pass.
"Priscilla," I inquired, lowering my voice, "when do you go back to
Blithedale?"
"Whenever they please to take me," said she.
"Did you come away of your own free will?" I asked.
"I am blown about like a leaf," she replied. "I never have any free
will."
"Does Hollingsworth know that you are here?" said I.
"He bade me come," answered Priscilla.
She looked at me, I thought, with an air of surprise, as if the idea
were incomprehensible that she should have taken this step without
his agency.
"What a gripe this man has laid upon her whole being!" muttered I
between my teeth.
"Well, as Zenobia so kindly intimates, I have no more business here.
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