Man and Maid

"Yes, do go, and if you will be near the rue de la Paix go into

Roberts' and ask if the new menthol preparation has come, and if so

bring it back to me, it takes ages for things to be sent now."

"I was not going to the rue de la Paix. I was going to a hospital."

"Never mind then, and don't hurry back, Burton will give me my tea. So

au revoir until dinner Miladi."

I had to say all this because I was at breaking point, and could not any

longer have kept up the game, but would have made an ignominious

surrender, and have told her I loved her, and loathed the idea of a

mistress, and would certainly murder any lover she should ever glance

at!

She went from the room without a word more. And left alone I tried to

sleep, but it was no good. I was too excited. I don't think I am such a

fool as to flatter myself. I am trying to look at the situation

abstractedly. And it seems to me that Alathea is certainly interested in

me, certainly jealous of Suzette, of Coralie, furious with herself for

being so, really convinced now that she has lost her hold upon me,--and

is uneasy, rebellious, disturbed and unhappy!

All this is perfectly splendid,--my darling little girl!

After a while I went to sleep in my chair, and was awakened by Burton

coming in to turn on the lamps.

"Her Ladyship has ordered tea in her room, Sir Nicholas," he told me,

"Shall I bring yours here?"

"Her Ladyship has come in then?" I said.

"Her Ladyship did not go out, Sir," Burton answered surprised.

What did this mean I wondered? But I saw no sign of Alathea until she

came in ready for dinner as the clock struck eight.

She was pale but perfectly composed, she had evidently been having some

battle with herself and had won.

All through dinner she talked more politely and indifferently than she

has for a long time. She was brilliantly intelligent, and I had a most

delightful repast. We both came up to the scratch, I think.

She longs to visit Italy, she told me; she has not been there since she

was a child. I said I would take her directly the war would be over, and

things in the way of travel had become possible again. How strong her

will must be to have so mastered herself. No slightest sign of emotion,

one way or another, showed now. She was the serene, aloof companion of

the day at Versailles, before Suzette's shadow fell upon us. I grew

puzzled, as the evening wore on, and just a little unsure of myself. Had

I gone too far? Had I over disgusted her? Had all interest died out, and

so is she enabled to fulfill the bargain without any more disturbance of

mind?