Middleton hinted at pre-payment.
"I"m not allowed to take that," she said. "Come, I will ask for what I want when the time comes. You won"t refuse me?"
"It"s a little vague," he said, with an uneasy laugh.
"Oh, I can go away." And she turned toward the door.
"Whatever you like," he cried hastily.
"Ah, that"s better. I shall not take anything of great value."
She gave him her hand. He ventured on a slight pressure. The lady did not seem to notice it, and her hand lay quite motionless in his.
"To-morrow, then?" he said.
"Yes. I won"t trouble you to call a cab. I shall walk."
"Have you far to go?"
"Oh, some little way; but it"s an easy road."
"Can"t I escort you?"
"Not to-night. Some day, I hope"--and she stepped into the street and disappeared round the corner.
Punctually the next day she reappeared. Apart from her incomparable beauty--and every time she came, Middleton was more convinced that it was incomparable--she was a charming companion. She was very well read, and her knowledge of the world was wonderful.
"I wish it wasn"t rude to ask your age!" he exclaimed one day.
"Ah, I am older than I look. My work keeps me young."
"Are you very busy, then?"
"I am always busy. But I don"t grudge the time I give to you. No, don"t thank me. I am to be paid, you know." And she laughed merrily. If there were a flaw in her, it was her laugh. Middleton thought it rather a cruel laugh.
"Do you know," he resumed, "you have never told me your name yet."
"I am here _incognita_."
"You will tell me some day?"
"Yes, you shall know some day."
"Before we part forever?"
"Perhaps we shall not part--forever."
Middleton said he hoped not; but what would Angela say?
"My name is not so pretty a one as your _fiancee"s_," the lady continued.
"How do you know I am engaged?"
"I always know that sort of thing. It"s so useful. Angela Dove, isn"t it?"
"Yes; I hope you like it?"
"To be candid, not very much. It happens to have unpleasant a.s.sociations."
It was fortunate that Angela was staying out of town. Middleton felt that the two ladies would not have got on well together; and---- He checked himself in shame; for his thought had been that not even for Angela could he send the stranger away. Middleton struggled against the treacherous pa.s.sion that grew upon him; but he struggled in vain. He was guilty of postponing the finishing of his panel as long as he could. At last the lady grew impatient.
"I shall not come after to-day," she announced. "You can finish it to-day."
"Oh, hardly!" he protested.
"I"ll stay late; but I can"t come again."
Middleton worked hard, and by evening the panel was finished.
"A thousand thanks," he said. "And now you"ll have something to eat, won"t you?"
She agreed, and they sat down to a merry meal. The lady surpa.s.sed herself in brilliancy, and her mad gayety infected Middleton. Forgetful of his honor and allegiance, he leaned over to toast his guest, with a pa.s.sionate gaze in his eyes. Insensibly the evening sped away; suddenly the clock struck twelve.
"I am going now," she said.
"Ah, you won"t leave me!" cried Middleton.
"For the moment."
"But when shall I see you again?"
"As soon as you like, but not later than you must."
"You are charmingly mysterious. Tell me where you are going?"
"To my home."
"If you won"t come to me, I shall come to you," he insisted.
"Yes, you will come to me," she answered, smiling.
"And we shall be together?"
"Yes."
"As long as ever I like?"
"Yes--longer."