Part 79 (2/2)
”But the work in London?”
”Ah, that's all right, Glory. Ever since I heard from you I have been dealing with the bonds which bound me to London one by one, unravelling some and breaking others. They are all discharged now, every one of them, and I need think of them no more. Self is put behind forever, and I can stand before G.o.d and say: 'Do with me as you will; I am ready for anything--anything!'”
”Oh!”
”Crying, Glory? My poor, dear child! But why are you crying?”
”It's nothing!”
”Are you sure--quite sure? Am I asking too much of you? Don't let us deceive ourselves--think----”
”Let us talk of something else now.” She began to laugh. ”Look at me, John--don't I look well to-day?”
”You always look well, Glory.”
”But isn't there any difference--this dress, for instance?”
Then his sight came back and his big eyes sparkled. ”How beautiful you are, dear!”
”Really? Do I look nice then--really?”
”My beautiful, beautiful girl!”
Her head was thrown back, and she glowed with joy.
”Don't come too near me, you know--don't crush me.”
”Nay, no fear of that--I should be afraid.”
”Not that I mustn't be touched exactly.”
”What will they think, I wonder, those poor, lost creatures, so ugly, so disfigured?”
”And my red hair. This colour suits it, doesn't it?”
”Some Madonna, they'll say; the very picture of the mother of G.o.d herself!”
”Are you--are you afraid of me in this frock, dear? Shall I run and take it off?”
”No--no; let me look at you again.”
”But you don't like me to-day, for all that.”
”I?”
”Do you know you've never once kissed me since you came into the room?”
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