“And before that is gone I shall be earning a better salary than I ever had in my life!” said Annie.
“But I sha’n’t live upon your money. Do you think I would sponge upon my wife? I am not going to give you a chance of despising me again.”
“Then what will you do when the fifty pounds are gone?”
“Write to George for some more, of course.”
“But supposing he could not or would not send you any more?”
“Supposing the skies were to fall? Go and pack up your trunks, my darling, and we’ll go off and have a new honeymoon—only this time you shall have a kind husband instead of a cross one!”
There was no resisting him in his imperiously loving mood; and Annie, scarcely yet understanding this new situation of affairs, went, with the husband’s hands gently pushing her, into the next room; and while she was busily filling her trunks, she heard him ring the bell, order the week’s bill and pay it; then he burst into the room, threw his arms round her, and gave her a huge hug as she was closing the last box, and whispered:
“This is tremendous fun—running away with one’s own wife!”
CHAPTER XXII.
Annie felt a curious and altogether new sensation as she submitted to be carried off to the hotel by her husband, whom success in this small enterprise had restored to the happiest and most affectionate of humors. It was the first time since the early days of their marriage, when the privilege had soon palled, that she had gone about with him as a protector, and the pride and pleasure in the position which he ingenuously showed, surprised and amused her.