| 74 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 78 |
| 1 | 65 | 130 | 195 | 260 |
|
"
To compromise you."
She started. That was a new way of putting it. For half a minute
neither spoke. Then she began half defiantly: "Much I am compromised. Of
course--I have made a fool of myself--"
"My dear girl, you are still on the sunny side of eighteen, and you
know very little of this world. Less than you think. But you will learn.
Before you write all those novels we have talked about, you will have
to learn. And that's one point--" He hesitated. "You started and blushed
when the man at breakfast called you Ma'am. You thought it a funny
mistake, but you did not say anything because he was young and
nervous--and besides, the thought of being my wife offended your
modesty. You didn't care to notice it. But--you see; I gave your name
as MRS. Beaumont." He looked almost apologetic, in spite of his cynical
pose. "MRS. Beaumont," he repeated, pulling his flaxen moustache and
watching the effect.
She looked into his eyes speechless. "I am learning fast," she said
slowly, at last.
He thought the time had come for an emotional attack. "Jessie," he said,
with a sudden change of voice, "I know all this is mean, isvillanous.
But do you think that I have done all this scheming, all this
subterfuge, for any other object--"
7
6
Page
Quick Jump
|