Only not Mac. I'm too fond of
him."
Alexander moved restlessly. "Are you joking, Hilda?"
"Indeed I'm not."
"Then you don't know what you're talking about."
"Yes, I know very well. I've thought about it a great deal, and I've
quite decided. I never used to understand how women did things like
that, but I know now. It's because they can't be at the mercy of the man
they love any longer."
Alexander flushed angrily. "So it's better to be at the mercy of a man
you don't love?"
"Under such circumstances, infinitely!"
There was a flash in her eyes that made Alexander's fall. He got up and
went over to the window, threw it open, and leaned out. He heard Hilda
moving about behind him. When he looked over his shoulder she was lacing
her boots. He went back and stood over her.
"Hilda you'd better think a while longer before you do that. I don't
know what I ought to say, but I don't believe you'd be happy; truly I
don't. Aren't you trying to frighten me?"
She tied the knot of the last lacing and put her boot-heel down firmly.
"No; I'm telling you what I've made up my mind to do. I suppose I
would better do it without telling you. But afterward I shan't have an
opportunity to explain, for I shan't be seeing you again."
Alexander started to speak, but caught himself. When Hilda rose he sat
down on the arm of her chair and drew her back into it.
"I wouldn't be so much alarmed if I didn't know how utterly reckless
you CAN be. Don't do anything like that rashly.
Pages:
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89