Part 18 (2/2)

She was far too wise to show that she saw what was going on. She praised Miss Fortescue to Danvers with apparent frankness and insisted on him devoting more time to her. Danvers persisted in his scheme boldly for a week and then, just as Marian was despairing and was casting about for another plan of campaign, he gave in. They were sitting apart in the shadow near one of the windows of the ball-room. He had been sullen all the evening, almost rude.

”How much longer are you going to keep me in suspense?” he burst out angrily.

”In suspense?”

”You know what I mean. I think I've been very patient.”

”You mean our engagement?” Marian was looking at him, repelled by his expression, his manner, the tone of his voice, his whole mood.

”Yes--I want your decision.”

”I have not changed.”

”You still love that--that newspaper fellow?”

”No, I don't mean that.” Marian felt her irritation against Danvers suddenly vanish and in its place a Sense of relief and of calmness. ”I mean toward you. It won't do, Teddy. We shall get on well as friends.

But I can't think of you in--in that way.”

Mrs. Fortescue had so swollen his vanity that he was astounded at Marian's decision. He rapidly went over in his mind all the advantages he offered as a husband, and then looked at her as if he thought her beside herself.

”Look here, Marian,” he protested. ”You can't mean it. Why, it's all settled that we are to marry. It would be madness for you to break it off. I can give you everything--everything. And he can't give you anything.” Then with fatal tactlessness: ”He won't even give you the little that he can, according to your own story.”

”Yes, it's madness, isn't it, Teddy, to refuse you--fascinating you, who can give everything. But that's just it. You have too much. You overwhelm me. I should feel like a cheat, taking so much and giving so little.”

”Don't,” he begged, his self-complacence and superiority all gone.

”Don't mind my blundering, please, dear. I want you. I can't say it. I haven't any gift of words. But you've known me all my life and you know that I love you. I've set my heart on it, Mary Ann,”--it was the name he used to tease her with when they were children playing together--”You won't go back on me now, will you?”

”I wish I could do as you wish, Teddy.” Marian was forgetful of everything but the unhappiness she was causing this friend of so many, many years and of so many, many memories. ”But I can't--I can't.”

”Marry me, dear, anyhow. You will care afterward.” Marian was silent and Danvers hoped. ”You know all about me. I'll not give you any surprises.

I shan't bother you. And I'll make you happy.”

”No,” she said firmly. ”You mustn't ask it. I'll tell you why. I have thought of marrying you regardless of this. Only last night I thought of it--finally, went over the whole thing. Listen, Teddy--if I were married to you--and if he should come--and he would come sooner or later--if he should come and say 'Come with me,'--I'd go--yes, I'm sure I'd go.

I can't explain why. But I know that nothing would stand in the way--nothing.”

”You ought to be ashamed of yourself.” Marian shrank from him. She was horrified by the malignant fury that sparkled in his eyes and raged in his voice. ”That d.a.m.ned scoundrel is worthy of you and you of him. But I'll get you yet. I never was crossed in anything in my life and I'll not be beaten here.”

”And I thought you were my friend!” Marian was looking at him, pale, her eyes wide with amazement. ”Is it really you?”

He laughed insolently. ”Yes--you'll see. And he'll see. I'll crush him as if he were an egg sh.e.l.l. And as for you--you perjurer--you liar!”

He looked at her with coa.r.s.e contempt, rose and stalked away. Marian sat rigid. She was conscious of the insult. But even that humiliation was not so strong in her mind as the astounding revelation of Danvers. She remembered that even as his eyes blazed hatred at her, he looked at her, at her neck, her bare arms, with the baffled desire of brute pa.s.sion.

She did not fully understand the look, but she felt that it was a degradation far greater than his insulting words.

She slipped, almost skulked to her room, her eyes down, her face in a burning flush, her scarf drawn tightly about her neck. As her door closed behind her, she fell upon her bed and began to sob hysterically.

She started up with a scream to find her cousin standing beside her.

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