Part 21 (2/2)
”How do you know I am engaged?”
”I always know that sort of thing. It's so useful. Angela Dove, isn't it?”
”Yes; I hope you like it?”
”To be candid, not very much. It happens to have unpleasant a.s.sociations.”
It was fortunate that Angela was staying out of town. Middleton felt that the two ladies would not have got on well together; and---- He checked himself in shame; for his thought had been that not even for Angela could he send the stranger away. Middleton struggled against the treacherous pa.s.sion that grew upon him; but he struggled in vain. He was guilty of postponing the finis.h.i.+ng of his panel as long as he could. At last the lady grew impatient.
”I shall not come after to-day,” she announced. ”You can finish it to-day.”
”Oh, hardly!” he protested.
”I'll stay late; but I can't come again.”
Middleton worked hard, and by evening the panel was finished.
”A thousand thanks,” he said. ”And now you'll have something to eat, won't you?”
She agreed, and they sat down to a merry meal. The lady surpa.s.sed herself in brilliancy, and her mad gayety infected Middleton. Forgetful of his honor and allegiance, he leaned over to toast his guest, with a pa.s.sionate gaze in his eyes. Insensibly the evening sped away; suddenly the clock struck twelve.
”I am going now,” she said.
”Ah, you won't leave me!” cried Middleton.
”For the moment.”
”But when shall I see you again?”
”As soon as you like, but not later than you must.”
”You are charmingly mysterious. Tell me where you are going?”
”To my home.”
”If you won't come to me, I shall come to you,” he insisted.
”Yes, you will come to me,” she answered, smiling.
”And we shall be together?”
”Yes.”
”As long as ever I like?”
”Yes--longer.”
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