I heard some one out here, investigated and found
you--_you_, of all people in the world. And I was dreaming that I held
you in my arms. Yes, I was! I was dreaming it--"
"Mr. Shaw! You shouldn't--"
"And I awoke to find you--not in my arms, not in Bazelhurst Villa, but
here--here on my porch."
"Like a thief in the night," she murmured. "What _do_ you think of
me?"
"Shall I tell you--really?" he cried. The light in his eyes drove her
back a step or two, panic in her heart.
"N--no, no--not now!" she gasped, but a great wave of exaltation swept
through her being. He turned and walked away, too dazed to speak.
Without knowing it, she followed with hesitating steps. At the edge of
the porch he paused and looked into the darkness.
"By Jove, I _must_ be dreaming," she heard him mutter.
"No, you are not," she declared desperately. "I _am_ here. I ask your
protection for the night. I am going away--to England--to-morrow. I
couldn't stay there--I just couldn't. I'm sorry I came here--I'm--"
"Thank haven, you _did_ come," he exclaimed, turning to her
joyously. "You are like a fairy--the fairy princess come true. It's
unbelievable! But--but what was it you said about England?" he
concluded, suddenly sober.
"I am go--going home. There's no place else. I can't live with her,"
she said, a bit tremulously.
"To England? At once? Your father--will he--"
"My father? I have no father. Oh!" with a sudden start. Her eyes met
his in a helpless stare.
Pages:
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378
379
380
381
382
383
384