She is not here?"
"Not now, although there are evidences that she has been," indicating
the gloves and pruning shears visible beside the walk. "We must have
arrived too late."
"So it seems. You came with the same purpose, no doubt?"
"If you mean the hope of encountering Natalie, your guess is correct. She
would not give me a word last night, and has even overturned my plans
this morning. Does she play hide and seek with you also?"
"Does she! One never knows what she will do. But this last escapade is
the strangest of all."
"You refer to our engagement?"
"Assuredly; I had no warning, no conception of such a thing."
"Do you mean, sir, that she had never consulted you? never even mentioned
me to you before?"
"Exactly. You are aware of who I am, I presume? the position I hold
relative to her property?"
"Certainly; you are her uncle and guardian. Under the terms of the will
you remain in full control until she is twenty-five, now almost at hand,
except for an annual income payable to her monthly. Is not that the
situation?"
"You have apparently made very careful inquiry," he commented with a
perceptible sneer. "No doubt this was a matter of deep interest to you."
"Of some interest, I confess," acknowledged West, controlling his temper.
"Although my information has not come from inquiry. Miss Natalie was kind
enough to talk to me about her affairs, presupposing my interest in them.
Pages:
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49