He ground his teeth and lit another cigarette.
His hand trembled but his tones were even and formal.
"I shall go to Mrs. Abbott's tomorrow."
"Quite right. And if a man strays in flirt with him--if you know how."
"There are four other At Homes and kettledrums this week and I shall
go to those also. I don't know that I mind silly gossip, but it would
not be fair to Howard. I shouldn't like to put him in the position of
some men in this town; although they seem to console themselves! But
Howard is not like that."
"Not he. The best fellow in the world. I think your program
admirable." He saw that he was trying her too far and added hastily:
"It would be rather amusing to circumvent them, and it certainly
would not amuse me to lose your charming companionship. I have fallen
into the habit of imposing myself upon you from three until five or
half-past. Perhaps you will admit me shortly after lunch and let me
hang round until you are ready to go out?"
She looked up with faintly sparkling eyes; then her face fell.
"There are so many luncheons."
"But surely not every day. You could refuse the informal affairs on
the plea of a previous engagement, and give me the list of the
inevitable ones the first of the week. And at least you are free from
impertinent intrusion before three o'clock.
Pages:
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79