"Very well," smiled Fanny. "You and Virginia please excuse us. Jimmie and I will just browse in here for a while."
Chapter IX
Glad of the opportunity which allowed him a few minutes alone with the girl whose personality had taken so strong a hold upon him, Stafford gently closed the door, and, returning quickly, took a seat near Virginia.
"Well—Miss Blaine?" he smiled.
"Well—Mr. Stafford?"
"Here we are all alone," he said, looking at her admiringly.
There was a strange look in his eyes, a longing, appealing look, as if he had something on his mind to which he did not dare give expression. For a moment the girl regretted that she had not followed her sister. It was embarrassing under the peculiar circumstances to be alone there with him. There was a long pause, during which neither spoke. At last Virginia said:
"Why didn't you let me see the pictures too? You know that I'm interested in books and pictures."