He turned white. He came up to me and took my hands in his, and said in a low tone:
I looked up in surprise (apparently)--though the success was in making the appearance apparent--and said: "One always dislikes to lose old friends." I said it quite as a matter of course. I got up and staggered a little, as I went towards the door.
He was terribly frightened. I said it was "nothing;" that sometimes I had those slight "attacks" if I became a little excited. The last appeared to be a slip of the tongue. I did not say what the "attacks" were, nor what excitement had caused this particular one, but it was quite unnecessary. It frightened him, and made him suffer a little.
He remarked that his "business at the north might be postponed for some time yet." I thought so too!
There seemed something mean in all this, but a wife who has any affection for her husband, _must_ feel that his interests are hers.
Gladys looks terrible. The last time I saw Ed--four days ago, at breakfast--he said things were narrowing to a focus; that he was afraid there was no loop-hole left her. Either Grayson must go over, or Gladys is lost. He'll go over, of course--and stay over, until he gets an advantage.
This constant separation from Edgar is telling on me. I don't realize it save at moments of relaxation, for I am generally as hurried and preoccupied these days as he. But there is a lack that I sometimes feel must be supplied. I have not even seen him since Thursday, and I--
Braine comes hurriedly into the library, and speaks quickly while tossing over the papers on the desk by Helen:
"Have you seen a bundle of papers bearing the stamp, Helen? I thought I left them here."
"To-night?" absently. He pauses and continues his search for the papers.
"Well?" She speaks a little coldly this time. She dislikes to be ignored.
"Eh? Oh! Yes! What am I going to do to-night? I can't tell you, child, I have more on hand than ten men could do. I don't know. Oh!"--facing her suddenly--"about this matter with Everet! What are you accomplishing, Helen? Matters are moving too slowly. Something must be done at once."
She has not had more than ten minutes conversation with Braine in a week. This is the manner in which this opportunity is improved. She bites her lip. After a moment she replies carelessly: