"That's just what she was! Listening to every word you said. I just came in a minute ago, or I'd have let you know. But he got up to go, just as I had my hand on the door-knob."
"What shall I do?" I murmured, distractedly. Then, after a pause, I said, "Perhaps she was asleep and didn't hear!"
Mary gave me such a contemptuous look that I hurriedly apologized.
Then the Angel came in, and I told Mary to go, and then I told him everything. He thought quite awhile before speaking.
"Do you care for her very much, Faith dear?" he said, in his dear, gentle way.
"If she has done the abominable thing that Mary says, I'll—hate her!
I'll turn her out of the house!" I cried, viciously.
"Ah!" said Aubrey, in a satisfied tone. He knows I wouldn't, but it does do me so much good to threaten to do the awful things I'd like to do if I were a cruel woman.
He rose and left the room. I started to follow him, but he waved me back.
"I won't be gone a moment. Wait for me here."
I waited three or four years, and then, when I had grown white-haired with age, he came back.