“Yes, you shall know some day.”
“Before we part forever?”
“Perhaps we shall not part—forever.”
Middleton said he hoped not; but what would Angela say?
“My name is not so pretty a one as your fiancée’s,” the lady continued.
“How do you know I am engaged?”
“I always know that sort of thing. It’s so useful. Angela Dove, isn’t it?”
“Yes; I hope you like it?”
“To be candid, not very much. It happens to have unpleasant associations.”
It was fortunate that Angela was staying out of town. Middleton felt that the two ladies would not have got on well together; and—— He checked himself in shame; for his thought had been that not even for Angela could he send the stranger away. Middleton struggled against the treacherous passion that grew upon him; but he struggled in vain. He was guilty of postponing the finishing of his panel as long as he could. At last the lady grew impatient.