At Last eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about At Last.

At Last eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 306 pages of information about At Last.

“I had not dreamed that the time was so near at hand—­it seemed such a little while since the evening of our arrival—­until I happened, last night, after you left us, to take up Mrs. Rogers’ invitation-card for this evening.  Then, I recollected!”

Her listless resignation had in it something piteous, and the lever of compassion impelled him to further efforts of cheer.

“I have to thank you for all the enjoyment of my visit to this, heretofore to me, dismal city.  If you should ever visit Philadelphia—­as I earnestly hope you will—­you must acquaint me with your whereabouts immediately upon your arrival.  I should be sorry to think that our friendship is to end here and now.”

“As well here and now, as anywhere and at any time!” returned Rosa, yet more resignedly.  “And the end must come, sooner or later.  This was what I was saying over to myself when you came in.  I am a fool—­a baby—­to mind it!” angrily dashing away the obtrusive brine from her mournful eyelids.  “I wish you would leave me alone for a few minutes, Mr. Chilton, until I can behave myself!”

For a second it seemed that her companion would take her at her word, so puzzled and troubled was his countenance, and he moved slightly, as about to obey the petulant behest; then sat still.

“I have found no fault in your behavior!” he said, too coolly to please Rosa’s notion.

“I know you despise me!” she burst forth, chokingly.  “I believe I am hysterical, and the more I rail at my stupidity and folly, the more unmanageable my nerves—­if it is my nerves that are out of order—­ become.  But I have been so happy, so content and grateful, lately!  And everything will be so different after—­after to-morrow!”

Her voice had failed to a sobbing whisper, and the diaphanous cambric veiled her bowed face.

Frederic Chilton did not stir a finger or attempt to speak for a full minute, but in that minute he thought a volume, felt acutely.

This, then, was what he had been doing in his hours of relaxation from the business which had occupied his mind to the banishment of nearly every other consideration; that had driven into comparative obscurity the old gnawing grief which had incorporated itself with his being!  The intimacy with a beautiful, sprightly girl had been a holiday diversion to him after arduous brain-labor, recreation sought conscientiously and systematically, that his mental powers might be clearer and fresher for the next day’s toil in court and among perplexing records; in hunting up titles and disputed property, and proving their validity.  He had gained the cause that had brought him to the capital, and cost him so much fatigue and anxiety, and was proud of his success.  But what of this other piece of work?  Would not the most cold-blooded flirt, who ever prated of fidelity, when he meant betrayal and desertion, blush to father this business?  And she, poor, guileless lamb, must bear the pain, the mortification, perhaps the contumely, which ought to be his in seven-fold measure!

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Project Gutenberg
At Last from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.