“Henry—what is the matter? I hate you when you are so unlike yourself! You have been positively horrid for more than a week! Do tell me if you are ill, or what I may do to make you behave!” she stormed at him, her eyes flashing with anger and bright spots burning upon each cheek. Suddenly West checked his laugh and passed his hand against his brow as if to stop its pain. He moistened his parched lips and drew deep, long breaths, while glowing, intense eyes pierced the girl’s very soul.
“Bess—Bess, I’m sorry. Must be I’m not well,” he hesitated, as if to catch his breath.
Becoming alarmed, Bess started for the door in search of Mrs. West.
“Stop, Bess—do not go—I need nothing. There is something—something—I have wanted to tell you—so long ago—something—” he sank into a chair unnerved. The girl walked softly to his side and placed her hand upon his own. He clutched it with a cruel grasp, then said: “Please go over there—I cannot talk—if you are so near me!”
“Go on, Henry,” requested the girl, after waiting what seemed an interminable length of time. Her heart was wrung with pity, and she could scarcely endure seeing his wretchedness.
“I—I am sorry,” he began slowly, as if with an effort to find words, “that you are to marry—that man. Bess—” rising abruptly and facing her, “I have grave reasons—believe me, for hating him as I do. They cannot be told without injury to—to—” but his sentence was interrupted by the sudden entrance of James and Berenice.
“Well! Here are the two pikers!” chided James. “We have been waiting ages for you!”
“Henry is not feeling well. Let’s stay at home today.”
James gave his sister a packet of letters which she scanned carelessly. At her brother’s request to hurry and see when Davis was coming, she opened his letter. It was very brief. All it contained was a request that their plans be changed and that she come to New York for the wedding, where he would await her. No explanations were given for his request. James saw that the news contained in the letter was displeasing, and taking it, at her request that he read, saw at a glance what was written.