Part 58 (1/2)
”I believe so.”
”I cannot understand her wanting me, but I will go; and I won't leave her either till she shows me she is tired of me. I am as anxious to see the end of this matter as you are.” Then, with some vague idea that I had earned a right to some show of confidence on his part, I added insinuatingly: ”I supposed you would feel the case settled when she almost fainted at the sight of the younger Mr. Van Burnam.”
The old ambiguous smile I remembered so well came to modify his brusque rejoinder.
”If she had been a woman like you, I should; but she is a deep one, Miss b.u.t.terworth; too deep for the success of a little ruse like mine. Are you ready?”
I was not, but it did not take me long to be so, and before an hour had elapsed I was seated in Mrs. Desberger's parlor in Ninth Street. Miss Oliver was in, and ere long made her appearance. She was dressed in street costume.
I was prepared for a change in her, and yet the shock I felt when I first saw her face must have been apparent, for she immediately remarked:
”You find me quite well, Miss b.u.t.terworth. For this I am partially indebted to you. You were very good to nurse me so carefully. Will you be still kinder, and help me in a new matter which I feel quite incompetent to undertake alone?”
Her face was flushed, her manner nervous, but her eyes had an extraordinary look in them which affected me most painfully, notwithstanding the additional effect it gave to her beauty.
”Certainly,” said I. ”What can I do for you?”
”I wish to buy me a dress,” was her unexpected reply. ”A handsome dress.
Do you object to showing me the best shops? I am a stranger in New York.”
More astonished than I can express, but carefully concealing it in remembrance of the caution received from Mr. Gryce, I replied that I would be only too happy to accompany her on such an errand. Upon which she lost her nervousness and prepared at once to go out with me.
”I would have asked Mrs. Desberger,” she observed while fitting on her gloves, ”but her taste”--here she cast a significant look about the room--”is not quiet enough for me.”
”I should think not!” I cried.
”I shall be a trouble to you,” the girl went on, with a gleam in her eye that spoke of the restless spirit within. ”I have many things to buy, and they must all be rich and handsome.”
”If you have money enough, there will be no trouble about that.”
”Oh, I have money.” She spoke like a millionaire's daughter. ”Shall we go to Arnold's?”
As I always traded at Arnold's, I readily acquiesced, and we left the house. But not before she had tied a very thick veil over her face.
”If we meet any one, do not introduce me,” she begged. ”I cannot talk to people.”
”You may rest easy,” I a.s.sured her.
At the corner she stopped. ”Is there any way of getting a carriage?” she asked.
”Do you want one?”
”Yes.”
I signalled a hack.
”Now for the dress!” she cried.
We rode at once to Arnold's.