Full Text Archive

Full Text Archive
https://www.fulltextarchive.com
involve. Would she? Did she understand? This phase of it puzzled and frightened Aileen a little
at first. She stood before him one afternoon in her black riding-habit and high silk riding-hat
perched jauntily on her red-gold hair; and striking her riding-skirt with her short whip, pondering
doubtfully as she listened. He had asked her whether she knew what she was doing? Whither
they were drifting? If she loved him truly enough? The two horses were tethered in a thicket a
score of yards away from the main road and from the bank of a tumbling stream, which they had
approached. She was trying to discover if she could see them. It was pretense. There was no
interest in her glance. She was thinking of him and the smartness of his habit, and the
exquisiteness of this moment. He had such a charming calico pony. The leaves were just
enough developed to make a diaphanous lacework of green. It was like looking through a green-
spangled arras to peer into the woods beyond or behind. The gray stones were already faintly
messy where the water rippled and sparkled, and early birds were calling--robins and blackbirds
and wrens.
"Baby mine," he said, "do you understand all about this? Do you know exactly what you're doing
when you come with me this way?"
"I think I do."
She struck her boot and looked at the ground, and then up through the trees at the blue sky.
"Look at me, honey."
"I don't want to."
"But look at me, sweet. I want to ask you something."
"Don't make me, Frank, please. I can't."
"Oh yes, you can look at me."
"No."
She backed away as he took her hands, but came forward again, easily enough.
"Now look in my eyes."
"I can't."
"See here."
"I can't. Don't ask me. I'll answer you, but don't make me look at you."
His hand stole to her cheek and fondled it. He petted her shoulder, and she leaned her head
against him.
"Sweet, you're so beautiful," he said finally, "I can't give you up. I know what I ought to do. You
know, too, I suppose; but I can't. I must have you. If this should end in exposure, it would be
quite bad for you and me. Do you understand?"
89 / 312

---