"Windomshire!" gasped Dauntless, leaping in front of Eleanor, prepared
to defend her with his life.
"Miss Courtenay, too," murmured Eleanor, peeking under his arm.
"Yes, by Jove," announced the harassed Englishman, at bay,--
"Windomshire and Miss Courtenay." There was a long silence--a tableau,
in fact. "Well, why doesn't some one say something? You've got us,
don't you know."
Eleanor Thursdale was the first to find words. She was faint with
humiliation, but strong with the new resolve. Coming forth from behind
Dauntless, she presented herself before the man her mother had chosen.
"So you have found me out, Mr. Windomshire," she said pleadingly, a
wry little smile on her lips. "You know all about it?"
"I--er--by Jove, this is quite beyond me. Found you out? My word, you
don't mean to say--"
"I say, old man," said Dauntless, manfully, "let me explain. We've
always loved each other. It isn't that she--"
"Hang it all, man, I knew that," expostulated Windomshire. "It was a
mistake all around. I love Anne, don't you know. There's no real harm
done, I'm sure. But what puzzles me is this: why does Miss Thursdale
persist in pursuing us if she loves you and doesn't care to marry me?"
"The deuce! I like that," cried Dauntless.
Pages:
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116