It was
a bald question.
"I shall become an adventuress," I answered, deliberately.
"A _what_?" he exclaimed, his black eyebrows contracting.
"An adventuress. Is not that what it is called? A person who sees life,
and has to do the best she can for herself."
He laughed. "You strange little lady!" he said, his irritation with me
melting. And when he laughs you can see how even his teeth are; but the
two side ones are sharp and pointed, like a wolf's.
"Perhaps, after all, you had better have married me!"
"No, that would clip my wings," I said, frankly, looking at him straight
in the face.
"Mr. Barton tells me you propose leaving here on Saturday. I beg you will
not do so. Please consider it your home for so long as you wish--until
you can make some arrangements for yourself. You look so very young to be
going about the world alone!"
He bent down and gazed at me closer--there was an odd tone in his voice.
"I am twenty, and I have been often snubbed," I said, calmly. "That
prepares one for a good deal. I shall enjoy doing what I please."
"And what are you going to please?"
"I shall go to Claridge's until I can look about me."
He moved uneasily.
"But have you no relations--no one who will take care of you?"
"I believe none. My mother was nobody particular, you know--a Miss Tonkins
by name.
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