She was fond of these problematical speculations.
“I should say be an angel, if he deserved it, or a devil if he appreciated it. Then—now and then—be non-existent, charming and indifferent, when you wanted to hedge—when there was no particular response. You’ll go with me to the Hilliers’ party, won’t you, as Charlie will be away?”
“Of course I will—if you like. But will Percy go—and let you go?”
“He says he won’t, but I think he will,” she replied.
CHAPTER XXI
THE HILLIERS’ ENTERTAINMENT
NO more had been said between them about the Hilliers’ party; and Percy began to hope that it would be dropped. But on the morning Bertha asked him if he would like to take her out to dinner first with Madeline; assuming that, as he had said no more about it, he intended to go.
With those letters upstairs in the box, how could he?
“I simply can’t,” he answered. “I don’t wish to go to that man’s house.”
“Then must I take Madeline alone?” said Bertha. “In all these years, Percy, I don’t think I’ve ever been to a party without you.”