"Talking to you," she said to him, "is only thinking to myself—made easier."
That evening he was to meet Mrs. Molle at Paddington, whence they would leave for Tenchester. He could not see Anna for at least ten days.
"It will be strange to-morrow and to-morrow," she said, "not to have you with me."
"And I" said Sacheverell.
"Will you miss me?"
"You know I will."
"I am so glad. . . . I ought not—it's hateful—but I want you—to be miserable." She opened a cardboard box which stood in a corner of the room, and produced an unconsidered trifle in the shape of some ribbons and feathers. She put it on her head, and in so doing managed to brush some tears from her eyelashes.
"Do you like my new hat?" she said. This was her way of changing the subject.
"Is that bow meant to stick up?"
"Of course; flat bows are hideous. Nothing would induce me to alter it. Nothing. . . . Perhaps you will like it better when you get used to it."
"Perhaps."
"Why don't you like it now?"
"I do," he said.
She smiled with happiness. "I love nice clothes. I could live in a garret and sleep on the floor and eat bread and apples, or bread without the apples—but I must have pretty gowns."
"You are very beautiful in anything," he said.
"If you think so," she answered, as gravely, "it
will make me beautiful!"
