“I go, leaving you bon gre, mal gre.”
“He is a bold, unscrupulous villain,” said Scott, with a scornful ring in his voice.
“I guess no one thinks so but yourself,” Irene answered, angrily, “and you would not if your tastes were——”
“What?”
“Comme il faut.”
“Thank you!” said Scott, stung to the heart. “I am glad it is so, then. Are you going?”
“I see no way to avoid it now, for the colonel would be much displeased as well as disappointed.”
“Very well,” he said, closing his mouth in a way that Irene knew just how to interpret.
A knock was heard at the door, and Paul, with a low bow, announced a gentleman waiting in the parlor for Mrs. Wilmer.
“Au revoir, mon cher!” said Irene, waving her gloved hand to Scott, who stood gazing after her as she left the room.