Part 32 (1/2)

”Good evening,” said Montague.

He was trembling slightly, and Duval noticed it; he smiled genially.

”This is the sort of material out of which scenes are made,” said he.

”But I beg you not to be embarra.s.sed--we won't have any scenes.”

Montague could think of nothing to say to that.

”I owe Evelyn an apology,” the other continued. ”It was entirely an accident--this clipping, you see. I do not intrude, as a rule. You may make yourself at home in future.”

Montague flushed scarlet at the words.

”Mr. Duval,” he said, ”I have to a.s.sure you that you are mistaken--”

The other stared at him. ”Oh, come, come!” he said, laughing. ”Let us talk as men of the world.”

”I say that you are mistaken,” said Montague again.

The other shrugged his shoulders. ”Very well,” he said genially. ”As you please. I simply wish to make matters clear to you, that's all. I wish you joy with Evelyn. I say nothing about her--you love her.

Suffice it that I've had her, and I'm tired of her; the field is yours.

But keep her out of mischief, and don't let her make a fool of herself in public, if you can help it. And don't let her spend too much money--she costs me a million a year already.--Good evening, Mr.

Montague.”

And he went out. Montague, who stood like a statue, could hear him chuckling all the way down the hall.

At last Montague himself started to leave. But he heard Mrs. Winnie coming back, and he waited for her. She came in and shut the door, and turned toward him.

”What did he say?” she asked.

”He--was very pleasant,” said Montague.

And she smiled grimly. ”I went out on purpose,” she said. ”I wanted you to see him--to see what sort of a man he is, and how much 'duty' I owe him! You saw, I guess.”

”Yes, I saw,” said he.

Then again he started to go. But she took him by the arm. ”Come and talk to me,” she said. ”Please!”

And she led him back to the fire. ”Listen,” she said. ”He will not come here again. He is going away to-night--I thought he had gone already.

And he does not return for a month or two. There will be no one to disturb us again.”

She came close to him and gazed up into his face. She had wiped her tears away, and her happy look had come back to her; she was lovelier than ever.

”I took you by surprise,” she said, smiling. ”You didn't know what to make of it. And I was ashamed--I thought you would hate me. But I'm not going to be unhappy any more--I don't care at all. I'm glad that I spoke!”

And Mrs. Winnie put up her hands and took him by the lapels of his coat. ”I know that you love me,” she said; ”I saw it in your eyes just now, before he came in: It is simply that you won't let yourself go.

You have so many doubts and so many fears. But you will see that I am right; you will learn to love me. You won't be able to help it--I shall be so kind and good! Only don't go away--”