“I will not utter it again,” said Annie; “but I can still feel it. Rupert, I will not do wrong for you. On that point I am firm. Now I must leave you. Oh, by the way, Mrs. Acheson gave me a message for you. She wished to know if you would dine with them this evening. Of course you will not come. Under the circumstances it would be quite impossible; but you may as well send back a polite message.”
“Say, with my compliments, that I shall be heartily pleased to accept the invitation,” answered Rupert.
“How can you dare?”
“Will you give the message? May I not accept my own invitation, or am I to be beholden to you?”
“Well, come if you like,” said poor Annie. “I cannot quarrel with you nor argue with you any longer. Come if you wish to do so; but plainly understand that, if you attempt to ask Belle Acheson to lend you any money, I shall immediately tell the entire truth to Mrs. Acheson.”
“I believe you; you are turning into a perfect little fiend. Well, at any rate expect me at dinner time.”
[CHAPTER XXXI—HANDWRITING.]
After Annie and Leslie had left him, Mr. Parker returned to his office. There were two or three candidates still waiting for the vacant post of secretary. One of his clerks came to inquire what was to be done with them.
“I cannot see them,” was the reply. “You may as well say that the matter is practically settled, and that there is no use in any of them waiting.”
The clerk withdrew, and Mr. Parker began to pace up and down the length of his room.