“What!” he exclaimed. “Alone? Burning the midnight oil and all that sort of thing. Where is old--er--where's your father?”
Gertrude replied that her father had retired. She was about to do so, she added. It was untrue, but she was not in the mood for a conversation with anyone, least of all with Cousin Percy.
Cousin Percy, however, appeared decidedly conversational. His face was a trifle flushed and he smiled more than seemed necessary.
“Well,” he observed, “this is an unexpected pleasure. Didn't expect to find anyone up at this hour.”
Gertrude curtly remarked that it was not late.
“I didn't mean up, I meant in. Did I say 'up'? Most extraordinary. I thought you and Mrs. Dott were playing the political game this evening. Expected to find you out and old--the respected captain, I mean--in the arms of--what's his name?--Morpheus. That's all right, though; that's all right. So much the better. We can talk--you and I.”
“I don't feel like talking. You must excuse me.”
“What? Don't feel like talking? Cruel! Why not? It isn't late; you said so yourself.”
“I know but--really, you must excuse me.”
She was moving toward the door, but again he stepped in her way.
“Now, Gertie,” he said. Then he broke into a laugh. “Called you Gertie, didn't I?” he said. “Beg pardon. Quite unintentional. It slipped out before I thought. But you don't mind, do you? It's a pretty name. Just a little bit less formal than Gertrude, eh? Don't you think so--Gertie?”
Gertrude hesitated. She was humiliated and angry, but she did not wish a scene. Her parents might hear and her mother must on no account be disturbed.
“No. Now, Percy, you must excuse me. Goodnight!”
“Wait! Wait! Gertie, I have something to say to you. Been wanting to say it for a long time, but haven't had the opportunity. You have kept out of my way. Ha! ha! you know you have. Perhaps you guessed I wanted to say it. Was that it? Ha! ha! was it now? Confess; was it?”
Gertrude did not answer. She moved toward the door. Mr. Hungerford laughingly blocked the passage.
“No, no!” he cried. “No, no! Mustn't run away. I am going to say it, and you must hear me. Come, don't be cross.”
“Mr. Hungerford, will you stand aside? I can not talk with you to-night, or listen. I am going to my room.”