"
XVII.
A WOMAN AND A WARNING.
On the evening of Howard's arrival at Newport, Mrs. Carnarvon was having a
few people in to dine. He had just time to dress and so saw no one until he
descended to the reception room.
"You are to take in Marian," said his hostess, going with him to where Miss
Trevor was sitting, her back to the door and her attention apparently
absorbed by the man facing her.
"Here's Mr. Howard, Marian," Mrs. Carnarvon interrupted. "Come with me,
Willie. Your lady is over here and we're going in directly."
Marian saw that Howard was looking at her in the straight, frank fashion
she remembered and liked so well. "I've come for you," he said.
"Yes, you are to take me in," she evaded, her look even lamer than her
words.
"You know what I mean." He was smiling, his heart in his eyes, as if the
dozen people were not about them.
"I see you have not changed," she laughed, answering his look in kind.
"Changed? I'm revolutionized. I was blind and now I see. I was paralyzed
and behold, I walk. I was weak and lo, I am strong--strong enough for two,
if necessary."
"Now, hasn't it occurred to you that I might possibly have something to say
about my own fate?"
"You? Why, you had everything to say. I reasoned it all out with you.
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