| “Ev’ry little movement has a meaning all its own, Ev’ry thought and action——” |
The door slammed—the music ceased. 271
“I won’t believe it,” Croyden reflected, “that Elaine would do anything so utterly unconventional as to seek me out deliberately.... I might have had a chance if—Oh, damn it all! why didn’t we find the old pirate’s box—it would have clarified the whole situation.”
As he changed into his evening clothes, he went over the matter, carefully, and laid out the line of conduct that he intended to follow.
He would that Elaine had stayed away from Hampton. It was putting him to too severe a test—to be with her, to be subject to her alluring loveliness, and, yet, to be unmoved. It is hard to see the luscious fruit within one’s reach and to refrain from even touching it. It grew harder the more he contemplated it....
“It’s no use fighting against it, here!” he exclaimed, going into Macloud’s room, and throwing himself on a chair. “I’m going to cut the whole thing.”
“What the devil are you talking about?” Macloud inquired, pausing with his waistcoat half on.
“What the devil do you think I’m talking about?” Croyden demanded.
“Not being a success at solving riddles, I give it up.”
“Oh, very well!” said Croyden. “Can you comprehend this:—I’m going to leave town?”