Spring Days Part 38

"You may do that without it being said that you are making up to a gentleman."

"Of course; I should never think of saying you made up to me."

"I should hope not, indeed."

"I should never think of accusing you of having made up to me; you have always treated me very badly."

Lizzie did not answer. He looked at her, puzzled and perplexed, and he hoped that neither the girls nor the old lady had understood.

"I am sorry; I really didn't mean to offend you. All I meant to say was that the lady we saw at the 'Roebuck' had been rather civil to me; had--well I don't know how to put it--shown an inclination to flirt with me--will that suit you?--and that I had not availed myself of my chances because I was in love with you."

Encouraged by a sunny smile, Frank continued: "You wouldn't listen to me; you were very cruel."

"I am sure I didn't mean to be cruel; I went out on the river with you, and we had a very pleasant day. You didn't say then I was cruel."

"No, you were very nice that day; it was the happiest day of my life.

I was in love with you; I shall never care for any one as I cared for you."

"I don't believe you."

"I swear it is true. When you left the 'Gaiety' I searched London for you. If you had only cared for me we might have been very happy. As sure as a fellow loves a woman, so sure is she to like some other chap. Tell me, why did you go away and leave no address?"

"I did leave an address."

"Well, we won't discuss that. Why didn't you write to me? You knew my address. It's no use saying you didn't."

"Well, I suppose I was in love with some one else."

"Were you? You always denied it. Ah! so you were in love with some one else? I knew it--I knew it was that thick-set fellow with the black moustache. I wonder how you could like him--the amount of whisky and water he used to drink."

"Yes, usen't he? I have served him with as many as six whiskies in an afternoon--Irish, he always drank Irish."

"How could you like a man who drank?"

"But it wasn't he--I a.s.sure you; I give you my word of honour. It really wasn't. I'd tell you if it was."

"Well, who was it, then? It couldn't be the old man with the beard and white teeth?"

"No."

"Was it that great tall fellow, clean shaven?"

"No, it wasn't; you'll never guess; There's no use trying. However, it is all over now."

"Why? Did he treat you badly? Whose fault was it?"

"His. And the chances I threw away. He behaved like a beast. I had to give up keeping company with him."

"Why?"

"Oh, I don't know. He changed very much towards me lately; he went messing about after other girls, and we had words, and I left."

"You will make it up. Perhaps you are mistaken."

"Mistaken--no; I found their letters in his pocket."

"There are always rows between sweethearts; and then they kiss and make it up, and love each other the more."

"No, I shall not see him again. We were going to be married; no, it is all over. It was a little hard at first, but I am all right now."

"I am sorry. Do you think there is no chance of making it up?"

"I should have thought that you would be glad; men are so selfish they never think of any one but themselves."

"How do you mean? Why should I be glad that your marriage was broken off?"

"You said just now that you liked me very much, I thought--"

"So I do like you very much. Once I was in love with you--that day when we walked up the steep woods together."

"And you don't care for me any longer?"

"I don't say that; but I am engaged to be married."

"Oh!"

"Had you not snubbed me so I might have been married to you."

"Who are you going to be married to--to the lady we saw that day?"

"Oh, no, not to her."

"I don't believe you. You mean to say you haven't been to see her since."

"I a.s.sure you---"

"You mean to say you haven't seen her?"

"I don't say that. I've just come from Ireland. I've been staying with my uncle. She spent a week with us; that's all I have seen of her. I am going now to see the young lady whom I am engaged to."

"And when will you be married?"

"I don't know; there are a great many difficulties in the way. Perhaps I shall never marry her."

"Nonsense. I know better. You think it will take me in. I'll never be taken in again, not if I know it."

"I don't want to take you in."

"I don't know so much about that. Is she very pretty? I suppose you are very much in love with her?"