Part 8 (2/2)
”About what?”
”About me, of course.”
”Oh! I am enjoying the spectacle you present.”
”I built a palace in the air, and, lo and behold! it has proved to be a real palace. I went up to my room to-night and was feeling fanciful and sentimental, which means, of course, I was thinking about you. And then I imagined this whole scene--only a little different; I in this dress, and you at my feet, wors.h.i.+pping me and calling me all sorts of sweet names. And I was coy and held back!”
She paused a moment and laughed merrily.
”Of course,” she went on, ”I could not resist putting on the costume in order to get nearer the real feeling of such a scene, and it was so delicious that I at once wrapped myself up and come here in a cab. The maid told me you were not expected till late. It's very amusing, by the way--that girl really believes I'm your sister! So I made a descent on dear, stupid Laura--the admirer of your sweet-little-girl poem--and whiled away an hour or so. All m.u.f.fled up, of course. Her heart's weak, you know. Then I strolled back here. And now my imaginary scene is being enacted. Not exactly as I imagined it, but I know the realities of existence and the usual tragic fate of expectations, and so I have reason to feel ecstatic over the result.
Besides, I think I really do look very nice. The contractor for the clay must accidentally have supplied a little of the first quality at the time I was made. He must have torn his hair on finding out the mistake. Come, Morgan, kiss me on the forehead.”
She put the cigarette on the mantel, prettily blew away the smoke, and held her two splendid arms towards him. But he did not move.
”I'll even put on the veil and keep my hands behind me, like a good child.”
”Helen! Please,” he protested.
”Forgive me,” she said, and there was a strain of pathos in her voice.
”For the moment I forgot my promise--I was fancying this was a mere continuation of my vision. But I shall not do it again--I shall bite out my tongue first.”
He was moved, and awoke to the understanding that he had not yet estimated, according to the ordinary reckoning of the world, the pecuniary favour he had accepted from her. The fact that he felt shame at the resource of which circ.u.mstances forced him to avail himself could not affect his sense of her n.o.bility, and it was a true instinct of grat.i.tude that made him rise in order to bestow what she had ceased to demand. But, somewhat to his astonishment, she waved him back.
”No, Morgan; I really meant what I said, and you must not think I am only tricky.”
After which he felt forced to pin her to her request, protesting her honesty was not in dispute.
”You know I am to be trusted,” she whispered demurely. ”I am so glad you did not insist on the veil. I must really smoke another cigarette to get calm; I am as agitated as a girl getting her first kiss.”
”And I'll smoke another to keep you company,” he said.
”Let us meet clandestinely somewhere on Thursday about ten o'clock,”
she said a little later. ”It makes it ever so much more piquant to proceed mysteriously. We shall lunch in those parts. I must be home again by five, as I have a small dinner-party. I have an idea, Morgan.
One of my men writes he won't be able to turn up. You've never dined at my house in state. Come and fill the vacant place.”
He shook his head. His instinct was to refuse without considering. She insisted a little, but, seeing his heart was against it, left the subject, turning gaily to something else.
Soon he went out with her and saw her into a hansom. It was past two when he bade her good-night, having agreed to a rendezvous for Thursday in the heart of the city.
CHAPTER IX.
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