Page:The Relentless City.djvu/21

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THE RELENTLESS CITY
11

pretended not to be. I was amused, I roared; I was afraid they would turn me out.'

He laughed.

' Somehow, whatever you do, I can't disapprove,' he said; ' though the notion of all Topsie's friends sitting there and looking at him, and talking it over afterwards, makes me feel ill. But you——— '

' Dear Charlie, it is too nice of you. But break those rose-coloured spectacles through which you so kindly observe me. It is no use. I have told you before it was no use, and I don't like telling you again.'

' Why?' he asked.

' Oh, that is so like a man, and especially an Englishman. You know why. Because it hurts you.'

' You dislike hurting me? That is something,' said he.

' But that is all,' she said.

The orchestra had taken their places, and a silence began to spread over the theatre as the lights were lowered. Then suddenly he leaned towards her so that he could smell the faint, warm fragrance of her presence.

' You mean that?' he asked.

She nodded her head in reply, and the curtain rose.