The Datchet Diamonds

oo bad

if anything, worse even than the night before. The mist was more pronounced; a chillier breeze was in the air; a disagreeable drizzle s

ious that in certain of the things which she had said she had wronged her friend, as, she assured herself, her friend had wronged her lover. It is true two wrongs do not make a right; but Miss Strong had made up her mind that she would not apologise to Miss Wentworth for what she had said to her, until Miss Wentworth had apologised for what she had said to Cyril. As Miss Wentworth showed no disposition to do anything of the kind, the position was more than a trif

aid it--I did think that he would be punctual. How can he expect me to trust him in larger things, if he doe

eman's absence might, even now, be awaiting her there. Besides, twenty minutes is not long. But perhaps in the case of a lo

d triumph, and say 'I told you so!' Oh, Cyril, how unkind you are, not to come when you promised! I don't care, but I do kn

er lover or her friend. She went up the pier; then started to return. As she came bac

s St

ast man whom, just then, s

e decided to get rid of the man without delay. But the thing was easier decided on than done. Especially as M

ton this after

. She had moderated her pace, wishing to rid

y, I suppose? He is

s on which he was employed was of an agreeable kind. H

n? Are you sure that

sk if he is an intim

riend indeed. I am expect

d turned, and stared, as if her words surprised him. "I beg yo

iss Strong's turn to stand and stare.

--the fact is, Miss Strong, I heard an ugly story about Mr. Paxto

with added vigour. Her impulse was to lay it

wrence. If I were you, I should exchange

pe from him so easily.

moment. There is something which I

ch you can particularly wish to s

e stronger than I. I have a feeling that it must be now or never. You know very little of me, Miss Strong. Probably you will say you know nothing--that I am, to all intents and purposes, a stranger.

ness there was a vibrant something which was suggestive of the heat of passion being hidden below, while the very quietude of his utterance

letely by surprise that I hardly kno

it, and it's said. If you would only be my wife, you would do a good deed, of the magnitude of which you have no conception. There is

stranger to me; nor have I any desire th

ou, Miss

ht it upon

lt that I love you; nor can I

roposals are unwelcome to me. I happen already t

Then I am s

re you

ll learn that I have cause for sorrow,

ntleman making no effort to detain he

Miss Strong chose to phrase it, in "her everlasting reading." When Miss Wentworth was not writing she was w

f, Miss Strong plumped herself down on to a chair, forgetful also of the fact that she

ver do you thin

ing as her friend had entered. Now, lowering h

but I do know what is happening--your umbr

ted her mackintosh and umbrella in the hall. When she r

e you might give an eye to those elegant boots of yours

nging. But that was nothing. In her present mood she resented having her attention divert

knew. You've no sense of feeling. If I were dying for want

ved this tirade with

ear. Well, what

an to fidget about the room. Suddenly she burst out in w

no mood to be laughed at. I feel as if I must tell it to some one, and I have no one in th

orous repose of Miss Wentworth's manner was in

al whom you met on the Dyke, and who w

urse i

another victory. I did not know that matters had progressed with you so far as that!

You are

eceiving a proposal from a man. The idea seems to be that it is the best gift which the gods can possibly

wasn't

yed her for a moment before she spoke again. "I thought that yo

ever

dee

h touched a secret spring which was hidden in her listener's breast. Suddenly Miss Strong broke into a flo

at me--I am! Everything seems to be going wrong

th. I wouldn't attempt to forestall my allotment, if

miserable gir

hem--myriads--who would esteem such misery as

oice which--as if it had been an an?sthetic--served to ease the extreme tension of the other's nerves. Miss Strong

tonight, and promised he'd be punctual, and I waited for him, ever so long, on the pier, in the rain, and after all he never came

ul things of Cyril, did h

as going to stop i

d why sho

to be punctual! And keeping me waiting on the pier! Without gi

to know that Mr. Paxton intende

hat he saw

now they wer

them the night

an whose confidence was easily gained, especially by a stranger. Mr. Lawrence must have progressed more

y were a lot of lies, but they made me so wil

given to understand that jolting

or. Miss Strong glanced eagerly round. A flus

his own proper person, coming with apologies in bo