And also that she had not been the only person
present to give way to it.
The somewhat drawling tones of Miss Watkins' voice were not at all
in keeping with the activity of her wide-awake blue eyes. A sense of
this nurse's speculation as to her presence there flicked Desire
with little whips of irritation. It is one thing to observe and
quite another to render oneself observable. She felt the blood flow
hotly to her cheek. Why had she come? How could she have so far
forgotten her natural reserve, her instinctive dislike of intrusion?
Desire saw plainly that she had allowed a regrettable sentiment to
trick her into a ridiculous situation. Satisfied curiosity is
usually ashamed of itself.
And how absurd to have fancied for a moment that this blond
prettiness could be Mary!
"I am afraid I cannot wait longer," she murmured with polite regret.
"If there is any message--"
"None, I think. Thank you so much."
With the departure of her caller, Miss Watkins' manner underwent a
remarkable change. Professional coolness deserted her. She stamped
her foot and, from the safe concealment of the window curtain, she
watched Desire's unhurried progress down the street with eyes in
which the blue grew clouded and opaque. They brightened again as she
noticed Professor Spence passing on the opposite side of the street,
and became quite snappy with interest as she saw him pause as if to
call to his wife, then, after a swift and hesitating glance at the
door from which she had emerged, pass on without attracting her
attention.
Pages:
219
220
221
222
223
224
225
226
227
228
229
230
231
232
233
234
235
236
237
238
239
240
241
242
243