"A short nap this afternoon will
insure my being ready for the hop to-night."
CHAPTER XV
PERPLEXED AND BEGUILED
Madge was so discouraged that she contented herself with a manner of
listless apathy during dinner, and then retired to her room. Graydon
was giving her so little thought that there was slight occasion for
disguise, and less incentive for effort to interest him.
"The struggle promises to be short and decisive," she moaned. "Perhaps
it has been already decided. I had no chance after all. He came here
fully committed in his own thoughts to Miss Wildmere. I have merely
lost my old place in his affection, and have had and shall have no
opportunity to win his love. If this is to be my fate it is well to
discover it so speedily, and not after weeks of torturing hope
and fear. I'll learn the truth with absolute certainty as soon as
possible, and then find a pretext to join the Waylands."
At last the fatigue of the morning brought the respite of sleep, and
when she waked she found late evening shadows in her room, and learned
that Mr. Muir had arrived, it being his purpose to spend the Fourth
and the remainder of the week with his family.
Weariness and despondency are near akin, and in banishing one Madge
found herself better able to cope with the other.
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