"You choose what you like," he told her when they were in the
jeweller's shop. The man behind the counter thought him the most
casual lover he had ever yet served. He looked at Christine with a
sort of pity; she was so eager and happy. He brought another tray of
diamond rings.
Christine appealed to Jimmy Challoner.
"I would much rather you chose one for me. Which one would you like
best?"
He shook his head.
"I don't mind--anything you like; you've got to wear it." He saw a
little swift look of amazement in her eyes; he roused himself.
"Diamonds are nice," he said with more enthusiasm.
Christine chose a single stone; the ring just fitted, and she turned
her little hand about delightedly to show Jimmy how the diamond flashed.
She felt as if she were walking on air as they left the shop. Now and
then she glanced at Jimmy as if afraid that she had dreamed all this.
She had loved him all her life; she was sure that he, too, must have
loved her, or he would never have asked her to be his wife.
They had tea together. Over the buttered muffins Jimmy said suddenly:
"Christine, why can't we get married--soon, I mean!"
Lovely colour dyed her face.
"But--but we've only just got engaged," she said breathlessly.
"I know; but engagements are always short nowadays. If you are
willing----"
Apparently she was more than willing; she would have married him that
minute had he suggested it, She said she must speak to her mother about
it.
"There is your brother to tell, too," she said.
"I cabled to him this morning," Jimmy answered.
"Did you!" Her eyes brightened. "How sweet of you, Jimmy. Do you
think he will be pleased?"
"He's never pleased about anything," said Jimmy with a little laugh.
He leaned an elbow on the corner of the table and looked into her eyes.
"Say yes, Christine," he urged. "If you want to marry me, Mrs. Wyatt
won't stand in the way; after all, you've known me all your life."
She flushed and stammered:
"Jimmy--I--I think I'm a little afraid. Supposing--supposing you found
out that--that you'd made a mistake----" Her eyes were troubled.
Jimmy's face caught the flush from hers; for a moment his eyes wavered.
"We're going to be awfully happy," he asserted then, almost violently.
"If you love me----"
"You know I do." His hand fell carelessly to hers.
"Very well, then say yes."
Christine said it.
She thought everything perfect; she had never been so happy in all her
life. If Jimmy did not love her tremendously, he would not be so
anxious to be married, she told herself. Theirs was going to be one of
those romantic marriages of which one reads in books.
"Shall I speak to Mrs. Wyatt, or will you?" he asked her.
"I think I would like to--first," she told him.
"Very well." Jimmy was relieved. He was somehow a little afraid of
Mrs. Wyatt's kind mother eyes; he dreaded lest she might read deep down
into his heart, and know what he was doing--guess that he was only
marrying Christine because--because why?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account