"Ye-es."
I could not help but be conscious of a certain hesitation in his pronunciation of the word.
"His name was Eliot."
"Well?"
There had been a moment's silence before he spoke. And, when he had spoken, there ensued a portentous pause. I hid my face still more from his examining gaze. My voice seemed almost to die away.
"He, also, professed to bestow on me the gift of his affection."
"The devil he did!"
Yes, mamma, that was precisely what he said. It made me shiver. But he was sorry as soon as the words had passed his lips.
"Forgive me! I didn't mean it! After all, it is only to be expected that every man who sees you will fall in love with you at sight."
I wondered if he would talk to me like that in years to come. Do husbands of ten years' standing say such things unto their wives? Oh, how ashamed of myself I felt as I thought of what I still had to admit! Dear mamma, I will try hard never again to do what my conscience tells me is not right. If only we would always listen to the still small voice which seeks to guide us!