"Yes."
"Do you understand and enjoy what he says?"
"I do not understand all he says. I am trying to lift myself to a nearer
level with him."
"Ah, you aim to be learned. His tastes must have greatly changed, if he
admires such females." Her eyes fell, but I fancied there was a gleam in
them not altogether pleasant to behold. I remained silent, not caring to
explain it was Mr. Winthrop's wish that I should continue, to some
extent, the work that had occupied so many years of my life. She turned
the leaf of the album, and her own face looked out at me, not any more
beautiful than now, but still as perfect as a poet's dream.
"We had these taken the same day!"
She turned still another leaf and they sat together, she looking sweetly
at me, but his eyes, I could fancy resting on her with a look in them I
had never seen.
"He had the artist destroy the negative, but I secured this one, he
fancies the flames have swallowed them all. You will have no further
scruples listening to his story?"
"Yes, I have scruples. Much as I would like to hear it, I desire you to
tell me nothing but what you feel certain he would be willing for me to
hear. Otherwise I cannot look into his eyes without a feeling of guilt."
"I did not think there was such a ridiculously conscientious woman on the
earth. Believe me, you are formed after a very unusual pattern. But you
must at least hear my story; otherwise you cannot help me."
"I have been waiting with what patience I could command for the last hour
to hear it.
Pages:
218
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242