“If you dare, sir,” said she, in a low but clear whisper; and now she stepped into the carriage, and affected to busy herself with her mufflers. Tony assisted Miss Lester to her place, and then walked round to the side where Alice sat.
“You are not angry with me, Alice?” said he, falteringly.
“I certainly am not pleased,” said she, coldly. “There was a time I had not to press a wish,—I had but to utter it.”
“And yet, Alice,” said he, leaning over, and whispering so close that she felt his breath on her face,—“and yet I never loved you then as I love you now.”
“You have determined that I should not repeat my invitation,” said she, leaning back in the carriage; “I must—I have no help for it—I must say good-bye!”
“Good-bye,” said he, pressing her hand, from which he had just drawn off the glove, to his lips. She never made any effort to withdraw it, but leaned forward as though to conceal the action from her companion.
“Good-bye, dearest Alice,” said he, once more.
“Give me my glove, Tony. I think it has fallen,” said she, carelessly, as she leaned back once more.
“There it is,” muttered he; “but I have another here that I will never part with;” and he drew forth the glove she had thrown on the strand for him to pick up—so long ago!
“You will see papa, Tony?” said she, drawing down her veil; “you can't fail to meet him before night. Say you saw us. Good-bye.”