“With pleasure,” he said with equal amiability.
“You’re a good boy,” said Judy condescendingly. “I’ll kiss you for that. Bend your proud neck; I haven’t kissed you for a long time.”
With a little squeal of delight she felt herself lifted off her feet. “Oh, put me down,” she said laughingly; “I don’t like to leave terra firma. Now say good-night to Vivienne. Kiss her too,” she added mischievously.
Armour gave her a look that made her limp expeditiously out into the hall. Then he extended his hand toward Vivienne.
What was the matter with the girl? Her happy gentle demeanor had suddenly turned into stiff reserve and her face was deathly pale.
“You must not!” she exclaimed, when he made a step toward her and extended his hand.
“Must not what?” he asked in surprise. Then her meaning flashed upon him. She thought that he was going to act upon Judy’s suggestion.
“Can you imagine that I would?” he said hastily; “that I would be so, so——”
He was still hesitating for a word, when she drew her fingers from him and hurried away.
He remained rooted to the floor in acute surprise. Just for an instant the girl’s admirable self-control had given way. There had been a flash of the eye, a trembling of the lip. “Something must have disturbed her,” he muttered. “It could not be possible that—no, never. She would not fancy me, a man so much older. And yet it would be just like one of the tricks that fate plays us. If she did, if I were a revengeful man, what an opportunity for me. Stuff and nonsense! What am I thinking of?” and he threw himself in his favorite chair for reflection.