Part 19 (2/2)
”Well, I don't know. It is, as I have hinted, a _sort_ of secret, not very much to be kept.”
”I may hear it, then?”
”I suppose so. At all events,” with a laugh, soft and silk, ”I should like you to hear it, because I want your opinion. You will give it?”
”You know I will give you everything I have,” says he.
”Oh no! you must not talk like that,” says she. ”Put all that on one side, and let me have you for my friend. I want one now--not for myself, but for another; for two others, in fact. You know how fond I am of Maurice, and lately I have contracted quite a romantic, for _me”_--she pauses and laughs--”well, quite a romantic affection, for a little girl staying here with my aunt. You know who I mean--t.i.ta Bolton.”
”A charming child?”
”I am so glad you like her! But, as you say, she is a mere child; and Maurice has proposed to her, and she has accepted him, and I am curious about her future.”
”Hers only?”
”Oh no! His, too!”
”It will be a risk, certainly,” says Colonel Neilson. ”I thought--I imagined--I had heard that Rylton was engaged to his cousin, Mrs.
Bethune--a very beautiful woman.”
”How can you think so!” says Margaret. ”Well, yes, no doubt she _is_ beautiful, but I should not like Maurice to marry her.”
”You would prefer his marrying the 'charming child'?”
”I don't know what I prefer,” says Miss Knollys. She casts a reproachful glance at him that certainly is not deserved. Has he not served her late and early for the past six years? ”I thought you would help me!”
”You know I shall do that, however things may turn.”
”Well, help me here. What _ought_ Maurice to do? I am so dreadfully unhappy about this projected marriage of his.”
”It seems to me you are unhappy about all things except those that concern yourself. Your own future seems a blank to you; is it not so?”
Miss Knollys makes a little movement.
”Why should it be always a blank?” says he. ”Margaret,” in a low tone, ”let me fill it!”
Margaret rises impatiently.
”After all, you can't help me,” says she, turning abruptly away.
”Margaret, hear me!”
”No, no, no! What is the use?”
<script>