And to-night , while she , his mother , waited for him in darkness and loneliness , he was down at Blair 's , talking to this girl ! He loved her ; and it was past doubt that she loved him . The thought was more bitter than death to Thyra . That she should dare ! Her anger was all against the girl . She had laid a snare to get Chester and he , like a fool , was entangled in it , thinking , man-fashion , only of her great eyes and red lips . Thyra thought savagely of Damaris ' beauty . `` She shall not have him , '' she said , with slow emphasis . `` I will never give him up to any other woman , and , least of all , to her . She would leave me no place in his heart at all -- me , his mother , who almost died to give him life . He belongs to me ! Let her look for the son of some other woman -- some woman who has many sons . She shall not have my only one ! '' She got up , wrapped a shawl about her head , and went out into the darkly golden evening . The clouds had cleared away , and the moon was shining . The air was chill , with a bell-like clearness . The alders by the river rustled eerily as she walked by them and out upon the bridge . Here she paced up and down , peering with troubled eyes along the road beyond , or leaning over the rail , looking at the sparkling silver ribbon of moonlight that garlanded the waters . Late travelers passed her , and wondered at her presence and mien . Carl White saw her , and told his wife about her when he got home .
`` Striding to and fro over the bridge XXXXX mad !
along as by for in like of to while with