“Little did I think, sweet Kitty,” he said, with half-shut eyes, “that when I made that promise to bring you back into Kent, you would grow into so wonderful a beauty.”
“Well, Harry,” I replied, “it was kindly meant of you, and I thank you for your promise—which I now return you.”
“You return me my promise?” he asked, as if surprised, whereas he ought most certainly to have considered what had been my country ignorance and my maidenly innocence when he gave me his promise.
“Certainly,” I said; “seeing that I am now under the protection of Mrs. Esther Pimpernel, and have no longer any need for your services.”
“My services?” as if still more surprised. I am convinced that he was only acting astonishment, because he must have known the truth had he reflected at all. “Why, Kitty, I do not understand. You are not surely going to throw me over?”
Then I understood at last.
“Harry,” I said, “there has been, I fear, some mistake.”
“No,” he replied; “no mistake—no mistake at all. How could there be a mistake? You promised that you would return with me, never to go away again.”
“Why, so I did. But, Harry, I never thought——”
“You must have known what I meant, Kitty! Do not pretend that you did not. Oh! you may open your eyes as wide as you like, but I shall believe it, nevertheless.”