It caught David's eye and at once he appealed to me with the most
perfect confidence. She failed to see what I did, for I shyly gave her
my back, but the effect on David was miraculous; he signed to her to go,
for he was engaged for the afternoon.
What would you have done then, reader? I didn't. In my great moment I
had strength of character to raise my hat for the third time and walk
away, leaving the child to judge between us. I walked slowly, for I knew
I must give him time to get it out, and I listened eagerly, but that
was unnecessary, for when it did come it was a very roar of anguish. I
turned my head, and saw David fiercely pushing the woman aside, that he
might have one last long look at me. He held out his wistful arms and
nodded repeatedly, and I faltered, but my glorious scheme saved me,
and I walked on. It was a scheme conceived in a flash, and ever since
relentlessly pursued, to burrow under Mary's influence with the boy,
expose her to him in all her vagaries, take him utterly from her and
make him mine.