He came to me and laid a hand on my shoulder; but I shook it off, got up and rushed to another chair nearer the door, and gave such a back view of a girl’s agitation as I could manage to portray.
It was sufficient for the purpose. "You must compose yourself, Althea," he said, following me.
I glanced round and shuddered as if at his approach, and ventured to grunt out a little moan of pain.
He stopped and looked at me, half in anger and half in dire perplexity. "I won’t come near you then," he growled, and down he plumped into a chair to watch for any signs of my return to self-control.
I was now between him and the door and was much easier in mind; and began to prepare stealthily to throw off the disguise. I had taken off my gloves when it occurred to me to try to continue the scene long enough to induce him to get out the papers for which the clerk was waiting. I had no doubt they were in the room somewhere.
I remained inconsolable, therefore, until his patience waned. He sat for some time tapping his fingers restlessly on the table and staring at me; and then with a sign of vexation, rose and crossed to an old bureau desk.
"For Heaven’s sake calm yourself, Althea. The thing has got to go through if you mean to save your father," he said; "and I pledge you my honour that afterwards I will do everything in my power to make you happy. I will, on my soul."
I responded to this with a gesture sufficient to enable me to turn and see what he was doing, and let out a sigh.
I saw that he was watching me furtively while he opened some secret recess in the bureau and took out a carefully sealed envelope.
I sighed again--this time with a genuine feeling of relief--and rose.
He put the envelope quickly into his pocket and turned. "I have one little thing to do first," he said, and was coming toward the door when I gave him the first of his surprises.
I stepped forward quickly, locked the door and took out the key.
I put my back to the door and slipping my hand through the opening in my skirt got my revolver in readiness. With the other hand I took hold of the string with which we had tied on the skirt. All the top hamper of hat and so on would come off with one vigorous tug.
Thus prepared I waited to see what he would do next.