“On Monday.”
“Not till then?” His voice was full of solicitude.
“I must stay in to-morrow with Mumsie, Mrs. Travers, the day after
to-morrow is Sunday; Monday is the first possible day, isn’t it?”
“Where can I meet you?”
“Wherever you suggest.”
“Horace’s, at three.”
“Very well, Horace’s at three o’clock,” I agreed.
“And now good-night.” His arm went about me once more and he kissed me
even passionately. I felt all a flutter of emotion; can that have been
passion too? I believe I should have been disappointed had he not kissed
me.
We passed into the hall and sure enough I saw Ethel evidently in search
of me. We went to her, I mastering myself the best I could. A waltz was
playing. I was delighted when my companion begged, “Just let us finish
this waltz.”
And away we went once more.
With the ending of the waltz, which I enjoyed to the full, I was anxious
as to how I should appear in Ethel’s eyes. I determined to be in good
spirits and prayed that she would see it only as the effect of dancing.
How I got upstairs and into my things I don’t know. I remembered what
Ethel said to Mrs. Lien, as we said good-bye; but not what I myself
said. After that my mind is much of a blank. Am sure that I found myself
telling the story of the drunken footman as directed, and that an
infinite relief came over me when I found that neither Mumsie or Uncle
had stayed up for my return.