She kept her face turned
away, and Reardon saw its beautiful profile, hard and cold as
though in marble.
'It doesn't interest you at all?'
'I am glad to hear that a better prospect offers for you.'
He did not sit down, and was holding his rusty hat behind his
back.
'You speak as if it in no way concerned yourself. Is that what
you wish me to understand?'
'Won't it be better if you tell me why you have come here? As you
are resolved to find offence in whatever I say, I prefer to keep
silence. Please to let me know why you have asked to see me.'
Reardon turned abruptly as if to leave her, but checked himself
at a little distance.
Both had come to this meeting prepared for a renewal of amity,
but in these first few moments each was so disagreeably impressed
by the look and language of the other that a revulsion of feeling
undid all the more hopeful effects of their long severance. On
entering, Amy had meant to offer her hand, but the unexpected
meanness of Reardon's aspect shocked and restrained her. All but
every woman would have experienced that shrinking from the livery
of poverty.
Pages:
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
621
622
623
624
625
626
627
628
629
630
631