"Why, no, I had better not, under present circumstances. But when the good time comes—for all their high-roped indignation must and will blow over—then I will; and here's the pledge of it." He bent his head, took one long earnest kiss from her lips; and the next moment was gone.
Agitated almost to sickness, trembling and confused, Alice stole to look after him, terrified lest he might not escape unseen. She crept partly down the stairs, so as to obtain sight of the hall-door, and make sure that he got out in safety. As Gerard drew it quietly open, there stood a lady just about to knock. It was Selina, waiting to exchange a few words with Gerard. He waved his hand towards the staircase. Alice met her, and took her into the front drawing-room.
"I cannot stay to sit down, Alice: I must hasten back to dress, for I am engaged to three or four places tonight. Neither do I wish to horrify Lady Sarah with a visit at this untoward hour. I had a request to make to you, and thought to catch you in your room before you went in to dinner."
"They are alone, and are dining earlier than usual. I was too tired to appear. What can I do for you, Selina?"
Mrs. Oscar Dalrymple had come (as you have already heard) to try that one hopeless task—the borrowing money of her sister.
"I am in pressing need of it, Alice," she said. "Can you lend it me?"
"I wish I could," returned Alice; "I am so very sorry. I sent all I had to poor mamma the day before we came to town. It was only twenty-five pounds."
"That would have been of no use to me: I want more. I thought if you had been misering up your salary, you might have had a hundred pounds, or so, by you."
Alice shook her head. "I should be a long while saving up a hundred pounds, even if dear mamma had no wants. But I send to her what I can spare. Is it for—dresses, and that?"
"Yes," was Selina's laconic answer.