Pauline
PAULINE went away with Monica to spend the rest of August and the beginning of September in the depths of the country, where however for all the stillness of the ripe season she did not find very great peace. In every lane, in every wood, below the brow of every hill she was always half-expecting to meet Guy. It was not until Monica was going to her sisterhood and that she came back to see TO LET staring from the windows of Plashers Mead that Pauline was able at last to realize what she had irrevocably done.
On the day after her return Pauline went to see Miss Verney. To her she explained that the engagement was at an end.
"I heard something about it," said Miss Verney. "And feeling sure that it was doubtless on account of money, I must very impertinently beg you to accept this."
Pauline looked at the packet the old maid had thrust into her hand.
"Those are deeds," said Miss Verney importantly. "I have felt for some time past that I do not really need all my money. My income, you know, is very nearly £250 a year. £100 would be ample, and therefore I hope you will accept the surplus."
"My darling Miss Verney," said Pauline, "it could not be."
But the old maid was with very great difficulty persuaded of the impossibility.
"And you mean to say," she gasped, "that you are never going to see each other again?"
"Oh, sometimes," Pauline whispered, "sometimes I wonder if it could really happen that Guy and I should never meet again. Please don't let's talk about it. I shall come and see you often, but you mustn't ever talk about Guy and me, will you?"