There was a depth of suffering in his tone which forced itself to be realized even by that selfish creature; but it only made her begin to consider herself exceedingly ill-used, and to blame Tom for spoiling her pleasure.
"Now you want to blame me," she said, angrily, "and I haven't done a thing to encourage you."
"No, no; I don't blame you, Elsie," he said; "it's all my own fault—all mine."
"Yes, to be sure," cried Elsie. "Who could think you would be so foolish. There, shake hands, Tom, for I'm in a hurry. You are not angry?"
"Angry—no," said Tom, drearily.
"That's right! Good-by—you'll be wiser to-morrow."
Elsie glided away, and Tom watched her go out of the room, and realized that she was floating out of his life forever, that the dream of the past was at an end, and he was left alone in the darkness.
Poor old Tom! It was very hard, but no one could have resisted a smile at his appearance! When Elsie left him, he dashed out of the room, and hid himself in the most out of the way corner he could find.
As he crossed the hall, he heard Elizabeth call—
"Tom, Tom!"