"Some one," remarked Jimmy, as he entered Bridget's sitting-room, "has been smoking a decent cigar!"
"His visit doesn't seem to have bucked you up," said Jimmy, with his eyes on her face, as he held her hand. "I despise the man who can't interfere with what doesn't concern him on occasion! I have been wondering lately whether you can possibly be in any kind of hobble. Bridget, I should immensely like to help you out."
This was intended to be the prelude to a formal proposal of marriage. After keeping silence with difficulty so long, Jimmy considered that the time had at last come when he might put his fate to the touch. Nor was he tormented by any very serious doubts concerning her surrender. Jimmy had seen enough to feel blissfully satisfied that Bridget loved him, and for his own part, he had never met any other woman whom he desired to marry.
"Jimmy!" she murmured, looking up at him wistfully.
"Bridget," he said, in an equally low and solemn voice.
"You see--the fact is--I am engaged to Colonel Faversham!"
Although he suddenly released her hand, she still remained in the same attitude, watching his face as if waiting to see the effect of her announcement.
He drew in a deep breath and thrust his clenched hands into his jacket pockets.
"Then I ought to felicitate you," said Jimmy. "Why," he asked quietly, "didn't you give me the opportunity earlier?"
"Colonel Faversham didn't wish anybody to be told," she answered.
"You are consequently not gratifying him by telling me now!"
"Oh well," she replied, "I felt that I wanted you to know--that is the only reason."
"Should you mind telling me something else?" said Jimmy.
"Did the--the auspicious event take place before or since that afternoon we first met in Grandison Square?"
"I am sorry you kept me in the dark," was the answer.
He took one hand out of his pocket and ran his fingers through his hair.
"You see," he remarked, "I have known the colonel nearly my whole life. Well, good-bye," he added, holding out his hand.
"Oh--good-bye," said Bridget, and Jimmy was on his way down-stairs the next moment, out of the house and losing no time in finding his way back to Upper Grosvenor Street. Going at once to the smoking-room, he sat down, and leaning forward, covered his face with his hands. In this dejected attitude Sybil found him a few minutes later. As he had obviously not observed her entrance, she went to his side, resting a hand on his shoulder.