“I’d be glad to know,” I returned.
“Annabel and her father and Mr. Rawley have decided not to go away, and Annabel and Mr. Rawley are going to be married!” She hurled it breathlessly, as a child in a hurry to tell important news.
So that was the great secret. But why had they kept it from me? An acute silence within accompanied my own. I was smiling at Annabel, who blushed deliciously.
“Christopher!”
“Your Majesty.”
“Don’t say that. I hate it. Do you love me?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“But you are going to leave me.” She said it dolorously.
“No, I ain’t, ma’am.”
Something was dropped clattering to the floor within, and then came a sudden hush.