Enter Bridget

iously took Bridget completely by surprise. She had always an alluring, seductive way with her, and now, unaware of his return from Paris, she rose almost impul

she had not troubled to change for her solitary dinner. It was almost impossible that any ma

lt to withdraw them if he wished. Her frock was touching his coat as she stood gazing into his face.

nderings are ov

s. "I hope the room isn't too hot. I have a

, sitting down at one end of the large

after night. I try to read, but gradually my thoughts wander, and I'm

"what have you been d

answered, trifling with

ng round the large room, "you s

ace: in pots, in bowls, in vases; the ai

said Bridget, more soberly than usual. "

rnoon," re

n as I liked. I took her at her word. Oh, I assure you I feel very much at home there." Bridget lowered her eyes, paused a moment, then raised them again to Mark's face. "The question is," she sai

Mark, somewhat taken ab

st be if you can't re

I shall try,"

lonel Faversham wants me to marry h

" cried Mark. "Do you mean tha

the cup and the lip. Besides, even such an unreticent person as myself couldn't possibly anticipate.

ing so monstrous as to

rous!" sh

, it's unt

it. Still, I wouldn't say 'yes.' I have kept the poor dear man in suspense till your

nothing of the ki

aversham!" she cried, w

most horri

's some o

aid, and Mark sta

med, and suddenly became aware that Bridg

hastily, "but you haven't given me your serious opini

said Mark. "Of cour

mething else you must tell me. Supposing that I ref

your aunts

know, Mark, there's the River Thames. I would as soo

e asked. "If you are tired of London, try Par

lucky enoug

Mark, "you had the

e workhouse," a

you're hard up!" he cried, ret

uring mother's lifetime, you must remember how comfortably we used to live. I always had everything I wanted-for that matter, so I

t the case?

d Bridget, "they brought i

name was ver

of friends who though

press cuttings praisin

ths of his life he scar

illness a long name

member; but what killed

that?" as

wer. We wandered from place to place, and I suppose he was extravagant. I seem to take after him. Neither of us could bother about economy and that sort of thing. He felt the change dreadfully, and the tragedy was that he could

ve you anythin

end Mr. Frankfort, a solicitor. But there was nothing due from publishers-not a pen

sted Mark, "telling

know all about me. I love to tell you. It was invested to br

upon as you are livi

money, and now and then I get a letter from the bank manager to say my account is overdrawn. I go to see him; my dee

ving on your cap

I live upon?"

erest-na

t of person to live on a hundred pounds

ize," he suggested, "that the day is bound to co

t's when I get a fit of the miserable

cipate a

of the natural order o

our aunts, for instance-to le

to die. Really I think you are rather stupid this evening.

n't let yourself be frightened i

and standing close in front of him, so that her skirt br

"kindly tell me what I