Part 49 (1/2)
CHAPTER XXV
SO LONG
When Peter stepped into his sister's room he had forgotten that his eyes were open.
”Beatrice,” he said, ”we must start back for New York as soon as possible.”
She sprang from her chair. Pale and without his shade, he was like an apparition.
”Peter!” she cried.
”What's the trouble?”
”Your eyes!”
”They came back this morning.”
”Then I was right! Marjory--Marjory worked the miracle!”
He smiled a little.
”Yes.”
”It's wonderful. But, Peter--”
”Well?”
”You look so strange--so pale!”
”It's been--well, rather an exciting experience.”
She put her arms about his neck and kissed him.
”You should have brought the miracle-worker with you,” she smiled.
”And instead of that I'm leaving her.”
”Leaving Marjory--after this?”
”Sit down, little sister,” he begged. ”A great deal has happened this morning--a great deal that I'm afraid it's going to be hard for you to understand. It was hard for me to understand at first; and yet, after all, it's merely a question of fact. It is n't anything that leaves any chance for speculation. It just is, that's all. You see, you--both of us--made an extraordinary mistake. We--we a.s.sumed that Marjory was free.”
”Free? Of course she's free!” exclaimed Beatrice.
”Only she's not,” Peter informed her. ”As a matter of fact, she's married.”
”Marjory--married!”
”To Covington. She's Covington's wife. They were married a few weeks ago in Paris. You understand? She's Covington's wife.” His voice rose a trifle.
”Peter--you 're sure of that?”