Dolly Reforming Herself - LightNovelsOnl.com
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_Renie._ He came. Mrs. Biggs insisted on our tasting her mince pies----
_Dolly._ Mince pies--? Yes?
_Renie._ While she went to get one----
_Dolly._ Get one----
_Renie._ She wasn't out of the dairy ten seconds----
_Dolly._ No--and then?
_Renie._ Captain Wentworth----a----
_Dolly._ Respected you!
_Renie._ [_Firing up._] He is always most respectful! In the most delicate, exquisitely chivalrous way, he implored me for one first and only kiss, and just as I was refusing him, somebody pa.s.sed the dairy windows----
_Dolly._ My father often strolls that way----
_Renie._ But I was quite cold and correct---- [_Very anxiously._]
Dolly, tell me exactly what Mr. Barron said?
_Dolly._ At first he was going to speak to you himself, but I said, "No, that's my duty! I'm her oldest friend; I'll talk to her!"
_Renie._ Ye--es?
_Dolly._ So, at last he consented, and said: "Very well. Be very firm with her, because this sort of thing taking place under my very nose and under my daughter's roof is what I cannot, and will not, tolerate for one moment!"
_Renie._ He must have pa.s.sed the dairy windows!
_Dolly._ Yes.
_Renie._ And jumped to a wrong conclusion.
_Dolly._ Yes. And that isn't the worst----
_Renie._ [_Freshly alarmed._] Not the worst?!
_Dolly._ Now, don't be alarmed, dear----
_Renie._ About what?
_Dolly._ Didn't you notice something strange in your husband's manner at dinner?
_Renie._ No. What makes you think----?
_Dolly._ My dear, if my father noticed it, why not your husband? Suppose all this time the Professor has been quietly, stealthily watching you and Lucas.
_Renie._ [_Alarmed._] Dolly!
_Dolly._ And waiting his time----
_Renie._ Oh, Dolly!
_Dolly._ Didn't you notice how he insisted on your going to the fish-pond?
_Renie._ Yes, he did!
_Dolly._ Didn't it strike you there was something in that?
_Renie._ No, and he hasn't said anything----
_Dolly._ Of course not. Naturally he would hide his suspicions from you till the right moment.
_Renie._ Right moment?
_Dolly._ Now, dear, you see how serious things are. You mustn't run any more risks. This must be broken off to-night.
_Renie._ To-night?!
_Dolly._ Now, what can I do to help you?
_Renie._ You might tell Mr. Barron there was nothing in the dairy windows.
_Dolly._ Of course I'll tell him, but if he saw----
_Renie._ But there was nothing. Absolutely nothing----
_Dolly._ No, dear. What else can I do?
_Renie._ Could you find out exactly how much he has seen and heard, and--a--pump him a little?
_Dolly._ I don't like pumping people--still--What else?
_Renie._ [_Breaking down._] Oh, Dolly, this blow could not have fallen at a more cruel moment.
_Dolly._ No, dear.
_Renie._ It came just when I had lost all the illusions of girlhood, when all my woman's nature began to cry out----
_Dolly._ Yes--[_Suddenly._] Hark! [_Listens._] Hus.h.!.+
[_Creeps up to door, listens, opens it, looks out, closes it again._
_Renie._ What was it?
_Dolly._ Hus.h.!.+ Voices! I thought it might be Lucas and the Professor quarrelling.
_Renie._ I really don't think my husband suspects----
