England -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction; London (England) -- Fiction
Savile was intensely pleased, but he only answered gruffly, "That's as
well to know!"
"Then I'll try not to be jealous of her. I won't think about her at
all."
"No, I shouldn't," said Savile.
"Then we are engaged," said Dolly again, "definitely?"
"Of course we are. And look here, you've got to do what I tell you."
"What am I to do?"
"You're to be jolly, just as you used to be; you're to come and meet me
here every day, and--I'm not quite sure we really saw Madame Tussaud's
properly that day."
"Well, you were so cross, Savile."
"I shan't be cross now. I'll take you there, and we'll have tea. Could
you go to-day?"
"I think, just to-day," said Dolly, "I _might_ be allowed. A particular
friend of mamma's is coming to-day whom she hasn't seen for ages. She
told me not to come into the drawing-room."
"All right. Run in now and fix it up."
"Mamma," said Dolly, "will expect me to go to the De Saules; but as my
holiday task is about Charles II, and we shall see him at the
waxworks----"
"I leave all that to you," said Savile.
"Very well, then. Come and fetch me at three. I'm sure I can arrange it.
Won't Robert be surprised!"
"One more thing," said Savile rather sternly. "Remember that I don't
care _two_ straws whether he's surprised or not, and I don't want his
name mentioned again."
"Then it's not to annoy him?"
"No. It's to please me. Us."
"Very well."
She gave him her hand.
"And you won't even--now that we're engaged properly--give up
seeing--The Other Girl on Wednesday?" she pleaded.
Savile frowned darkly.
"You may be sure I shall do the right thing," he said rather grandly,
"and you're not to refer to her again. I've told you I shall only see
her once, and that's enough for you."
"I think you are very tyrannical," said Dolly, pouting.
"That won't do you any harm, my dear."
"And--you don't seem fond of me a bit!"
"Yes I am. What a fool you are! I'm awfully fond of you, Dolly."
"And are you very happy?"
"Yes, very fairly happy," said Savile. "And mind you have that powder
all brushed out of your hair. I don't like it."
They walked to the gate.
"I really have missed you awfully, dear," said Savile gently.
"You have your faults, Savile, but you are reliable, I _will_ say that."
"Rather," said Savile. "I'll bring you a ring this afternoon or
to-morrow."
"What! How lovely! But I shan't be allowed to wear it."
"Then keep it till you can."
"It's very sweet of you. Good-bye, Savile."
"Good-bye, dear. I say, Dolly?"
"Yes?"
"Oh, nothing!"
CHAPTER XXII
SAVILE AND JASMYN
Savile had written asking Jasmyn Vere to see him on a matter of
importance.
Jasmyn promptly and courteously made an appointment, and spent the
intervening hours chuckling to himself at the solemn tone of the letter,
and wondering what in Heaven's name the child could possibly want.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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