Веснянки
Chapter XVIII
Shehadbeensoshieldedinthemidstofalmostentirefreedom,owingtothecircumstancesofherlife,thatthewordsandthelookappearedtoherasalmostinsulting.Sheliftedherheadwithaproudgesture.
“Iamnotyour’dear,’”shesaidwithslowdistinctness.“Thereisn’tathingintheworldyoucandoforme.IcameheretoseeifIcoulddosomething—averygreatsomething—foryou;butifIdon’tlikeyou,Iwon’tdoit!”
ThenLordO’Moredidstare.Suddenlyhebrokeintoaringinglaugh.Withoutachangeofattitudeorexpression,theAngelstoodlookingsteadilyathim.
Therewasasilkenrustle,thenabeautifulwomanwithcheeksofsatinypink,darkhair,andeyesofpureIrishblue,movedtoLordO’More’sside,andcatchinghisarm,shookhimimpatiently.
“Terence!Haveyoulostyoursenses?”shecried.“Didn’tyouunderstandwhatthechildsaid?Lookatherface!Seewhatshehas!”
LordO’Moreopenedhiseyeswidelyandsatup.HedidlookattheAngel’sfaceintently,andsuddenlyfounditsogoodthatitwasdifficulttofollowthenextinjunction.Hearoseinstantly.
“Ibegyourpardon,”hesaid.“Thefactis,IamleavingChicagosorelydisappointed.Itmakesmebitterandreckless.Ithoughtyouonemoreofthosequeer,uselesspeoplewhohavethrustthemselvesonmeconstantly,andIwascareless.Forgiveme,andtellmewhyyoucame.”
“IwillifIlikeyou,”saidtheAngelstoutly,“andifIdon’t,Iwon’t!”
“ButIbeganallwrong,andnowIdon’tknowhowtomakeyoulikeme,”saidhislordship,withsincerepenitenceinhistone.
