“Don’t go, Paley!”
“Will you name a time when you will go with me, Lilian?”
“I cannot go, Paley! Indeed I cannot.”
“Good-by then, Lilian,” I replied, kissing her, while the tears gushed from my eyes.
I rushed from the house, without stopping to close the door behind me. I wiped away my tears as I crossed the street at a furious pace. I walked till I had subdued the emotions which crowded upon me. It was half an hour before I dared to present myself before the Biddy I had engaged, lest she should fathom the secret that worried me. I rang the bell at my house, and the servant admitted me. She opened her eyes wide when she saw me alone.
“Where is the missus?” asked she.
“She has concluded not to come, to-night,” I replied, hanging up my hat in the hall.
“The pretty crayture! Sure I’m dyin’ to have her in the house wit me!” exclaimed Bridget. “Is it sick she is?”
