“He was a gentleman, Tommy was, and a dear. Though he once embarrassed me frightfully. It was at dinner. Of course he was intoxicated, though not looking so. In the midst of a long tirade about Home Rule he burst into tears and said if he had only seen Miss Henderson earlier in his life he would have been a different fellow.”
“No doubt he admired you immensely!”
“I’d never spoken to him.”
Miss Holland laughed wisely, but a little scornfully. No châtelaine, of course, would boast of scalps.
“He was married!”
“Dear, dear!” breathed Miss Holland.
“Trying for a divorce.”
“Dear, dear, dear!”
5
Miriam awoke in the darkness abruptly. About her were the images that had filled her mind when Miss Holland’s candle had gone out. She regarded them sleepily, wondering what could so soon have called her back. What was calling her now, urgently, out from the thickness of sleep. She stirred and woke completely.