Part 20 (2/2)
”Then why on earth have him down here?” her husband asked mildly.
”Because Monty's devoted to him. They were at school together. And also, Michael dear, because I like him and you'll like him. Even if I am married, love has not made me blind to other charming men.”
”But, shall I like him?” Nora wanted to know.
”I did the minute I met him,” Alice confessed. ”He has a sort of 'come hither' in his eyes and the kind of hair I always want to run my hand through. You will, too, Nora.”
”But you see I'm not a married woman,” Nora retorted, ”so I mayn't have your privileges.”
Alice laughed. ”Don't be absurd. I haven't done it yet--but I may.”
”I don't doubt it in the least,” said Michael, contentedly caressing her hand.
”He has such an air,” Mrs. Harrington explained, ”sort of secret and wicked. He might be a murderer or something fascinating like that.”
”Splendid fellow for a week-end,” her husband commented.
She looked at her watch. ”I'd no idea it was so late. I must dress.”
”All right,” Nora agreed. ”Let's see what's become of Ethel.”
”Just a minute, Alice,” her husband called as she was mounting the broad stairway that led from the hall.
”Run along, Nora,” Alice said, ”I'll be up in a minute.”
”I'll go and wait for Monty,” the girl returned. ”I think you're going to be lectured.” She sauntered out of the French windows toward the PaG.o.da.
”Well,” said Alice smiling, ”what is it?”
”I just wanted to tell you how mighty glad I was to see you,” he confessed.
”And, Mikey dear,” she said simply, ”I'm mighty glad to see you.”
”Are you really?” he demanded. ”You're not missing Paris?”
”Paris be hanged,” she retorted; ”I'm in love with a man and not with a town.”
”It's still me?” Michael asked a little wistfully.
”Always you,” she said softly. ”One big reason I like to go abroad is because it makes me so glad to get back to you.” She sat on the arm of his chair and patted his head affectionately.
”But look here,” said Michael with an affectation of reproof, ”whenever I want a little trot around the country and suggest leaving, you begin--”
She put her hand over his mouth and stopped him.
”Oh, that's very different. When we do separate I always want to be the one to leave, not to be left.”
”It _is_ much easier to go than to stay,” he agreed, ”and I've been pretty lonely these last six weeks.”
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