“Yes! she was very kind—at first,” replied Harriet, “until—until—it all happened, and they went to England. Oh! do not let us talk of it!” she broke off suddenly.
“No! we will not! Have you unpacked your mandoline yet, Hally? Fetch it, dear, and let me hear your lovely voice again! I shall get you to sing to me when I am in the vein for composing! You would bring me all sorts of beautiful ideas and phantasies!”
“Should I? should I?” exclaimed the girl joyfully. “Oh! how lovely! I should do a part of your work then, shouldn’t I, Tony?—I should inspire you! Why, I would sing day and night for that!”
“No! no! my bird, I would not let you tire yourself! A few notes now and then—they will help me more than enough. I must draw from you for my next heroine, Hally! I could not have a fairer model!”
“Oh! Tony!”
She rushed to him in the extremity of her delight and hid her face upon his breast.
“I am not good enough, not pretty enough! Your heroines should be perfect!”
“I don’t think so! I prefer them to be of flesh and blood, like you!”
He stooped his head and kissed her passionately.
“Hally! Hally!” he whispered, “you draw my very life away!”