Part 63 (1/2)
”Well,” said Herbert with some embarra.s.sment, ”I'm afraid there's a serious loss, but it would be wiser to face it and sell off the shares.”
”I can do what seems most desirable without any further a.s.sistance.”
George leaned forward and, as he picked up the doc.u.ment, a flush crept into his cousin's face.
”I hardly expected you would take this line. Do you think it's right to blame me because I couldn't antic.i.p.ate the fall in value?”
”It strikes me that the situation is one that had better not be discussed between us,” George rejoined, with marked coldness.
”Besides, my opinion won't count for much in face of the very satisfactory financial results you have secured. I'm sorry for what has happened, on Muriel's account.”
He turned and went out; and met Ethel on reaching West's house.
”I must try to arrange for an interview with Sylvia and Captain Bland,”
he told her. ”There are matters that should be explained to them.”
”Won't it be painful?”
”That can't be allowed to count.”
”After all,” said Ethel thoughtfully, ”it's no doubt the proper course.”
A week later he visited Mrs. Kettering's, and was shown into a room where Sylvia awaited him alone. After the first glance at him, she turned her eyes away.
”George,” she said, ”I'm afraid I've behaved badly. Can you forgive me?”
”I think so,” he answered with a forced smile. ”Anyway, I'll try, and I'd like you to be happy. But it wouldn't be flattering if I pretended that I wasn't hurt.”
”Ah,” she exclaimed, ”you were always so generous!”
He stood silent a moment or two looking at her.
She had cunningly tricked him and killed his love; but she was very attractive with her pretty, helpless air. He knew this was false, but there was no profit in bitterness; he would not cause her pain.
”It's more to the purpose that I'm hard, which is fortunate in several ways. But I came to talk about the farm; that is why I suggested that Captain Bland should be present.”
”The farm?” Sylvia regarded him with a trace of mockery. ”That you should think of it is so characteristic of you!”
George smiled.
”I can't help my matter-of-fact nature, and I've found it serviceable.
Anyway, the farm must be thought of.” He laid a hand gently on her shoulder. ”Sylvia, I'm told that Bland isn't rich. If he loves you, take him fully into your confidence.”
She blushed, which he had scarcely expected.
”I have done so--at least, I allowed Herbert to explain--there is nothing hidden.” Then her tone changed to one of light raillery. ”You were always an extremist, George; you can't hit the happy medium. Once you believed I was everything that was most admirable, and now--”
”I think you have done right and wisely in letting Bland know how things stand. It was only my interest in your future that warranted what I said.”
”Well,” she replied, ”we will go up and talk to him; he's waiting. You can give your account to him.”