THE ADVENT OF RALPH AND A REJECTED PROPOSAL.
There appeared to be a tacit understanding between the Tracys and
Adelina that there should be no further mention of the advent of Ralph
Bamford. Adelina knew that he was coming soon; that was all. From her
nonchalant manner none could descry her real interest in the affair.
Harold and Mary were not deceived, however, by any outward calmness. Too
well did they know the young girl not to be cognizant of her deep
capacity for feeling, even though there was no reason for emotion other
than that of sympathy, that sympathy which would have been rendered to
any to whom it was requisite or welcome.
A few days following the conversation last related, Adelina was walking
on the lawn, when through the shrubbery she espied a carriage which had
stopped just outside the drive. From the carriage a tall man first
alighted, and paused to wait for a second person to issue from the
interior. The former was soon joined by one who was clearly a much
younger man, though even from Adelina's point of view, it could be seen
that he was not as agile as his senior. "Ralph," the young girl gasped,
then added, "yes, it is he." Suddenly she felt the most unreasoning
dread of being discovered, not only by the newcomers, but by anyone, for
that matter. It was natural that she should wish her presence to escape
Ralph's observation until a more opportune time, fearing the result of
such a recognition would be of the greatest detriment to him physically,
mentally, she did not even allow herself to think. It was strange how
immediate was Adelina's recognition of the young man--not, as was
afterwards learned, that he had suffered in looks--but a failure to
recognize him at that distance would have been most natural, despite the
knowledge of his near arrival. Now that he had come, her first and only
impulse was to put as much space as possible between him and herself.
She ran until she reached a rustic seat, where she sank breathless,
laughing at her absurd timidity--that trait not being a dominant
characteristic. Ere long she saw a young man emerging from one of the
summer houses. He seemed to be engaged in a fruitless search. When he in
turn discovered Adelina, a glad look of triumph followed.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," he said, quickly finding a place
beside her.
"Where did you expect to find me? Under the seats of the summer house,
most likely," Adelina retorted.
"I think I've looked everywhere, as I said."
This remark was made with the most open assumption of patience; indeed,
so transparent was the effort that Adelina greeted the reply with a
merry laugh, in which Mr. Burnett joined, perforce.
"Adelina," he said, "I have wanted an opportunity of seeing you alone."
"There; it's coming," said the girl to herself, resignedly.
"Will you not reconsider your answer of last Friday?" Mr. Burnett
continued.
"Don't ask me to reconsider, or even remember all of my thoughtless
speeches," remarked Adelina faintly, knowing the rendition of the
programme to follow as though the parts had been assigned to each one.
"You might at least listen," pleaded the young man.
"Listen," she said vehemently, "why, I could not very well help it, as I
have not yet lost the sense of hearing."
"Ah, that is sufficient answer; if you loved you could not be
frivolous."
"I do love," she said with such simplicity, that it is small wonder if
Mr. Burnett felt encouraged and eagerly asked:
"Is that true, Adelina?"
Seeing her mistake, Adelina hastened to add:
"Why, yes; I love Harold and Mary, and----"
"Pshaw! I thought you meant some one."
"Meaning yourself? No doubt the two mentioned would be delighted at
being designated nonentities." Then, seeing that the young man was
really wounded, she said impatiently:
"Why can't you love some one else?"
The fact that she was inflicting pain unwillingly and helplessly made
her half angry with him.
"There are plenty of nice girls--Lucy, Alice----"
"That will do," Mr. Burnett interrupted with dignity. "Love is not made
to order."
"Not even when I order it?" Adelina said, with a bewitching air. Then,
suddenly discovering her advantage, added, "If you really care for me
you would do as I wish."
But for the timely arrival of a servant on the scene, bearing a message
for Miss Fiske, there is no determining when the above conversation
would have ended. One of the disputants was longing to put an end to it
as speedily as possible, or at least, as quickly as was consistent with
even a show of politeness; the other was putting forth every effort to
prolong it without impunity. To risk all would be to lose all. He was
not certain that there was anything to lose, that anything had ever been
gained. For all the benefit accruing to either from the conversation it
might as well have never taken place. As they leisurely strolled towards
the house, both remained silent, neither desiring to break the silence,
whether from feelings of constraint or from varied emotions, it would be
difficult to learn. While Adelina's thoughts were, perhaps, less sad
than those of her admirer, they were at least, far from enviable,
commingled as they were with this recent event, and the one of former
years. Doubtless she was thinking partly of what Mr. Burnett was
thinking of her, and what she would say to that other whose arrival she
had just witnessed. Tom Burnett had evidently concluded that "the better
part of valor is discretion," for there was no pursuance of the talk,
even when he found they were nearing the doorway. Only a quiet "good-by"
from him. That was all he said to the girl who knew she had his
happiness in her keeping, but whom he never once blamed, knowing with
her conscience was all, and that she would follow its dictates, meriting
thus always the love he had chosen to bestow upon her. Chosen? No;
surely, that word is misapplied, for who ever chooses to love? Does love
not rather come unawares to the non-suspecting? and does not the word
rightly interpreted tell of an utter forgetfulness of self, implying
only disinterested feelings; precluding entirely the idea of selection,
which alone would mean something premeditated?