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Archer sprang up from his seat. My GodperhapsI dont know, he broke out angrily. May Welland rose also; as they faced each other she seemed to grow in womanly stature and dignity. Both were silent for a moment, as if dismayed by the unforeseen trend of their words: then she said in a low voice: If that is itis there some one else? Some one elsebetween you and me? He echoed her words slowly, as though they were only half- intelligible and he wanted time to repeat the question to himself. She seemed to catch the uncertainty of his voice, for she went on in a deepening tone: Let us talk frankly, Newland. Sometimes Ive felt a difference in you; especially since our engagement has been announced. Dearwhat madness! he recovered himself to exclaim. She met his protest with a faint smile. If it is, it wont hurt us to talk about it. She paused, and added, lifting her head with one of her noble movements: Or even if its true: why shouldnt we speak of it? You might so easily have made a mistake. He lowered his head, staring at the black leaf-pattern on the sunny path at their feet. Mistakes are always easy to make; but if I had made one of the kind you suggest, is it likely that I should be imploring you to hasten our marriage? She looked downward too, disturbing the pattern with the point of her sunshade while she struggled for expression. Yes, she said at length. You might want once for allto settle the question: its one way. Her quiet lucidity startled him, but did not mislead him into thinking her insensible. Under her hat-brim he saw the pallor of her profile, and a slight tremor of the nostril above her resolutely steadied lips. Well? he questioned, sitting down on the bench, and looking up at her with a frown that he tried to make playful. She dropped back into her seat and went on: You mustnt think that a girl knows as little as her parents imagine. One hears and one noticesone has ones feelings and ideas. And of course, long before you told me that you cared for me, Id known that there was some one else you were interested in; every one was talking about it two years ago at Newport. And once I saw you sitting together on the verandah at a dance and when she came back into the house her face was sad, and I felt sorry for her; I remembered it afterward, when we were engaged. Her voice had sunk almost to a whisper, and she sat clasping and unclasping her hands about the handle of her sunshade. The young man laid his upon them with a gentle pressure; his heart dilated with an inexpressible relief. My dear childwas that it? If you only knew the truth! She raised her head quickly. Then there is a truth I dont know? He kept his hand over hers. I meant, the truth about the old story you speak of. But thats what I want to know, Newlandwhat I ought to know. I couldnt have my happiness made out of a wrongan unfairnessto somebody else. And I want to believe that it would be the same with you. What sort of a life could we build on such foundations? Her face had taken on a look of such tragic courage that he felt like bowing himself down at her feet. Ive wanted to say this for a long time, she went on. Ive wanted to tell you that, when two people really love each other, I understand that there may be situations which make it right that they shouldshould go against public opinion. And if you feel yourself in any way pledged . . . pledged to the person |
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