However," added Miss Burgoyne, out of
her complaisance, "the public will wait a long time before they find
any one to sing 'The Starry Night' as you sang it, and as I hope you'll
be singing it again before long."
She was silent for a second or two; she seemed to have something to say,
and yet to hesitate about saying it.
"I hear you are going to Italy when you are strong enough to travel?"
she observed, at last.
"That is what they advise."
"You will be away for some time?"
"I suppose so."
And again she sat silent for a little while, pulling at the fringe of
her rose-lined sun-shade.
"Well, Lionel," she said, at length, with downcast eyes, "there is
something I have been thinking about for a long time back, and if you
are going away very soon, and perhaps for a considerable while, I ought
to tell you. It may be a relief to you as well as to me; indeed, I think
it will; if I had imagined what I have to say would vex you in any way,
you may be sure I wouldn't come at such a time as this. But to be
frank--that engagement--do you think we entered upon it with any kind of
wisdom, or with any fair prospect of happiness? Now if I trouble you or
hurt your feelings in any way, you can stop me with a single word," she
interposed, and she ventured to look up a little and to address
him more directly.
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