to love him, let him appear to win me, then confess his winning to Sue. How easy it should be! How I have longed for it! How hard I have gazed at the walls of my uncle''s estate, wishing they might part and release me! But now that the day of our escape is close, I hesitate; and am afraid to say why. I gaze again at my uncle''s hands, the pearl, the apple giving up its skin to the knife.
''Let us say, three weeks—perhaps longer,'' I say finally. ''Perhaps longer, should I feel I need it.''
A look of irritation or anger disturbs the surface of his face; but when he speaks, he makes his voice soft. ''You are modest. Your talent is better than that. Three weeks will do it, I assure you.''
He draws back the door at last and bows me out. And though I do not turn, I know he lingers to watch me mount the stairs—as solicitous for my safety, as any of my uncle''s gentlemen friends.
He will grow more solicitous, soon; but for now, at least, the days fall back into something like a familiar pat