He is desperately in want of money, and
has no prospect of getting any. I discovered that. At the
same time, he has a certain affection for the child." For
Philip's insight, or perhaps his opportunities, had not been
equal to Miss Abbott's.
Harriet would only sob, and accuse her brother of
insulting her; how could a lady speak to such a horrible
man? That, and nothing else, was enough to stamp Caroline.
Oh, poor Lilia!
Philip drummed on the bedroom window-sill. He saw no
escape from the deadlock. For though he spoke cheerfully
about his second interview with Gino, he felt at the bottom
of his heart that it would fail. Gino was too courteous: he
would not break off negotiations by sharp denial; he loved
this civil, half-humorous bargaining. And he loved fooling
his opponent, and did it so nicely that his opponent did not
mind being fooled.
"Miss Abbott has behaved extraordinarily," he said at
last; "but at the same time--"
His sister would not hear him. She burst forth again on
the madness, the interference, the intolerable duplicity of
Caroline.
"Harriet, you must listen. My dear, you must stop
crying. I have something quite important to say."
"I shall not stop crying," said she. But in time,
finding that he would not speak to her, she did stop.
"Remember that Miss Abbott has done us no harm. She
said nothing to him about the matter. He assumes that she
is working with us: I gathered that."
"Well, she isn't.
Pages:
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163