No! If either
the loss of the book or the dog's death had occurred in any way
through my fault I would tell you. I have no secrets of my own from
you, but both of these concern another man, and therefore I would
rather let them pass."
There was silence.
Then I asked, looking at her,--
"Are you alone here, Lucia?"
"Except, of course, for my maid--Yes."
My heart beat harder. Why? I hardly know, except that the word
"alone" has such a charm in it connected with a woman we love.
"Of course," she said, leaning back, "it is a little unconventional
my coming here alone; but Mama was not well enough, and I--Victor,"
she said, with a sudden indrawn breath, "I felt I must come and see
you. I told her I felt I should die there if they would not let me
come!"
I saw her breast heave as she spoke, her cheek flushed and paled
alternately, the azure of her eyes deepened slowly as the pupils
widened in them, till there seemed midnight behind the lashes.
I felt a dangerous current stirring in all my blood at her words, a
dry spasm seemed in my throat, blocking all speech.
"I thought you must have finished by now, and I came to say--I came
to say"--she murmured.
The blood rushed scarlet, staining all the fair skin, across the
face before me, and the bright lips fluttered in uncertain
hesitation.
I guessed the situation.
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