Part 41 (2/2)
”It's jealousy,” he said, lightly.
”I suppose so. Of course it was nice of you to compromise me this way-- it's delicious, in fact--but I didn't think it would scare off the others.”
”You think I have compromised you?”
”You know you have, _terribly_. I'm engaged to all of them-- everybody, in fact, except you--”
”But they know my presence here is unintentional.”
”Oh! _Is_ it, really?” She laughed.
”Don't you believe it is?”
”Goodness! Don't spoil all my pleasure. If ever I saw two cringing, self-conscious criminals, it's you and Papa Montegut. Men are so deceitful. Heigh-ho! I thought this was going to be splendid, but you play cards all day with Mr. La Branche while I die of loneliness.”
”What would you like me to do?” he faltered.
”I don't know. It's very dull. Couldn't you sally forth and drag in Lecompte or Murray or Raymond?” She looked up with eyes beaming.
”Bernie was furious, wasn't he?”
Mr. La Branche came trotting in with the evening newspaper in his hand. ”It's in the paper,” he chuckled. ”Those reporters get everything.”
”What's in the paper?” Myra Nell s.n.a.t.c.hed the sheet from his hand and read eagerly as he went trotting out again with his slippers applauding every step. ”Oh, Lordy!”
Blake read over her shoulder, and his face flushed.
”Norvin, we're really, truly engaged, now. See!” After a pause, ”And you've never even asked me.”
There was only one thing to say.
”Myra Nell,” he began, ”I want you--Will you--”
”Oh, you goose, you're not taking a cold shower!”
”Will you do me the honor to be my wife?”
She burst into delightful laughter. ”So you actually have the courage to propose? Shall I take time to think it over, or shall I answer now?”
”Now, by all means.”
”Very well, of course I--won't.”
”Why not?” he exclaimed, with a start.
”The idea! You don't mean it!”
”I do.”
<script>