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Archer stood up and leaned against the mantelpiece, out of the radius of the lamp. Yes, youve thought? he echoed as she paused. Well, perhaps I havent judged her fairly. Shes so differentat least on the surface. She takes up such odd peopleshe seems to like to make herself conspicuous. I suppose its the life shes led in that fast European society; no doubt we seem dreadfully dull to her. But I dont want to judge her unfairly. She paused again, a little breathless with the unwonted length of her speech, and sat with her lips slightly parted and a deep blush on her cheeks. Archer, as he looked at her, was reminded of the glow which had suffused her face in the Mission Garden at St. Augustine. He became aware of the same obscure effort in her, the same reaching out toward something beyond the usual range of her vision. She hates Ellen, he thought, and shes trying to overcome the feeling, and to get me to help her to overcome it. The thought moved him, and for a moment he was on the point of breaking the silence between them, and throwing himself on her mercy. You understand, dont you, she went on, why the family have sometimes been annoyed? We all did what we could for her at first; but she never seemed to understand. And now this idea of going to see Mrs. Beaufort, of going there in Grannys carriage! Im afraid shes quite alienated the van der Luydens . . . Ah, said Archer with an impatient laugh. The open door had closed between them again. Its time to dress; were dining out, arent we? he asked, moving from the fire. She rose also, but lingered near the hearth. As he walked past her she moved forward impulsively, as though to detain him: their eyes met, and he saw that hers were of the same swimming blue as when he had left her to drive to Jersey City. She flung her arms about his neck and pressed her cheek to his. You havent kissed me today, she said in a whisper; and he felt her tremble in his arms. |
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