That was my first ball and I felt I wanted to do
something daring.'
'You were not to blame,' he said; 'but I'm nearly old enough to be
your father. I can't forgive myself. I can't forget it.'
'Oh, dear! And I never took it seriously at all. There was a train
back to Radstowe at ten o'clock. I looked it up. I was going to get
that, but as it happened I went to a concert with Charles Batty. You
seem to have no idea how to play a game. You have to pretend to
yourself it's a matter of life and death; but you haven't to let it
be. That would spoil it.'
'I see,' he said. 'I'm afraid I didn't look at it like that. I wish I
had, and I'm glad you did. It makes it easier--and harder--for me.'
'We ought,' she said, 'to have laid the rules down first. Yes, we
ought to have done that.' She laughed again. 'I shall do that another
time. Good-bye.'
'Good-bye. You've been awfully good to me, Henrietta. Thank you.'
'Not a bit,' she cried. 'If I'd known you were bothering about it, I
would have reassured you.' She could not withhold a parting shot. 'I
would have sent you a message by Aunt Rose.'
She waved a hand and ran back to the road. She did not trouble to ask
herself whether or not he believed her. She was shaken by sobs without
tears. She did not love him, she had never loved him, but she could
not bear the knowledge that he did not love her. It was quite plain;
she was not going to deceive herself any more; his manner had been
unmistakable and it was Aunt Rose he loved.
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