“But, mamma——”
“I do not wish to hear anything about that villain,” answered the mother sharply, and, although the girl had made up her mind to confess everything to her mother, she was frightened out of it by her harshness; and the next time she saw Norman she told him that she had made the effort to tell her mother all, but had failed through dread of her anger.
They were in the Capitol Square, for it was Sunday afternoon, and Pansy had told her mother that she was going for a little walk.
Norman Wylde was waiting for her under the tree in a secluded part of the grounds, and they sat down together on a rustic bench while Pansy, half in tears, related her failure with her mother.
“I am sorry, for I have wished so much that I might be able to visit you at your own home,” said her lover. Then his face brightened, and he added:
“But never mind, darling, it does not matter so much now, for I am going away from Richmond very soon. Do not look so woebegone, my little Pansy, for I have good news for you.”
She started and looked up eagerly, wondering if his parents had relented.
But it was nothing like that.
In a moment he continued:
“Congratulate me, my dearest. I have at last found a client!”