"Oh--as for that--that's all right," said I. "Parker had suggested the walk, and a girl really does like to stave off a proposal as long as she can when she knows it is sure to come. Furthermore, it gives you a chance to describe the hat, and so make up for a few of the words you lost when she refused to discuss ball-dresses with Mrs.
Willard."
"I never thought of that; but don't you think I worked up to the proposal skilfully?" asked Harley.
"Very," said I. "But you're dreadfully hard on Parker. It would have been better to have had the butler fire him out, head over heels. He could have thrashed the butler for doing that, but with your heroine his hands were tied.""Go on and read," said Harley.)
"She must have known what I was driving at," Parker reflected, as he awaited her return. "Possibly she loves me in spite of this frigid behavior. This may be her method of concealing it; but if it is, Imust confess it's a case of 'Perhaps it was right to dissemble your love, But--why did you kick me down-stairs?'
Certainly, knowing, as she now must, what my feelings are, her being willing to go for a walk on the cliffs, or anywhere, is a favorable sign.
("Parker merely echoed my own hope in that remark," said Harley. "If I could get them engaged, I was satisfied to do it in any way that might be pleasing to her.")A moment later Marguerite appeared, arrayed for the walk. Parker rose as she entered and picked up his gloves.
"You are a perfect picture this morning," said he.
"I'm ready," she said, shortly, ignoring the compliment. "Where are we scheduled to walk?--or are we to have something to say about it ourselves?"Parker looked at her with a wondering smile. The aptness of the remark did not strike him. However, he was equal to the occasion.
"You don't believe in free will, then?" he asked.
("It was the only intelligent remark he could make, under the circumstances, you see," explained Harley.
"He was a clever fellow," said I, and resumed reading.)"I believe in a great many things we are supposed to do without,"said Marguerite, sharply.
They had reached the street, and in silence walked along Bellevue Avenue.
"There are a great many things," vouchsafed Parker, as they turned out of the avenue to the cliffs, "that men are supposed not to do without--""Yes," said Marguerite, sharply--"vices.""I did not refer to them," laughed Parker. "In fact, Miss Andrews, the heart of man is supposed to be incomplete until he has lost it, and has succeeded in getting another for his very--""Are you an admirer of Max Nordau?" interposed Marguerite, quickly.
("Whatever led you to put that in?" I asked.
"Go on, and you'll see," said Harley. "I didn't put it in. It's what she said. I'm not responsible.")"I don't know anything about Max Nordau," said Parker, somewhat surprised at this sudden turn of the conversation.
"Are you familiar with Schopenhauer?" she asked.
