"
"Well, then, I promise."
"Look in the glass."
"What for?"
"To see your face, to be sure."
She started, blushed red, and moved a step towards me.
"You don't mean--?" she cried.
"Thou art the woman," said I.
"Oh, but he never said a word--"
"Johnny had his code," said I. "And in some ways it was better
than some people's--in some, alas! worse."
"And Hilary?"
"Really you know better than I do whether I've told the truth
about Hilary."
A pause ensued. Then Mrs. Hilary made three short remarks, which
I give in their order:
(1) "The little wretch!" (2) "Dear old Hilary!" (3) "Poor little man!"
I took my hat. I knew that Hilary was due from the city in a few
minutes. Mrs. Hilary sat down by the fire.
"How dare you torment me so?" she asked, but not in the least
like Lady Macbeth.
"I must have my little amusements," said I.
"What an audacious little creature!" said Mrs. Hilary. "Fancy
his daring!--Aren't you astounded?"
"Oh, yes, I am. But Hilary, you see--"
"It's nearly his time," said Mrs. Hilary.
I buttoned my left glove and held out my right hand.
"I've a good mind not to shake hands with you," said she.
"Wasn't it absurd of Hilary?"
"Horribly."
"He ought to have been all the more angry.
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