Presently she said:
“Let no one tell him, mother, until I see him again. I must be the one to tell him.”
“Oh, Odalite! Oh, my child! Would you—would you——” began the lady, in alarm; but her daughter hastened to allay her fears.
“No, mother, I would not! But send every one from the room so that we may talk together,” she whispered.
Mrs. Force gave the order, and Luce, the colored woman, dropped a bridesmaid’s dress that she was unpacking, and went out, followed by all the others, leaving the mother and daughter alone together.
“No, mother, dear, your secret is as safe with me as with the dead; for I seem dead. I must tell Le myself that I wish to break with him to marry Col. Anglesea; and that is true so far as it goes, because I do wish to marry him to save you and my dear father and my little sisters from evils much greater than my marriage with Col. Anglesea could bring me. I need not tell Le why, but simply that I do. Le will believe that I am false to him. And that will be true also, for I am false to him, no matter what my excuse may be! And it will be best for him to believe it; for it will help him to get over any disappointment he may feel now, or any remaining affection for me. That is the reason why I myself must be the one to tell him.”
“Oh, Odalite! Oh, my dear! Can you do so?”
“Yes, I can compel myself to do so. And now, mother, I must get up and see Le, without delay. No! do not try to prevent me! I am strong enough in mind and body! I was only overcome for the moment by the sudden coming of Le so full of hope and joy, and the knowing what a shock of disappointment was in store for him. That was all. I am stronger now.”
So saying, the girl arose from the bed, stood up and took hold of her long, black hair, which had fallen down. She walked to the dressing bureau and secured the roll with pins, and then proceeded to smooth the folds of her disordered dress.
When all this was done she left the room.