The Lady of the Basement Flat Part 36

I remembered the sudden flashes of complacency which had mystified me so completely. This was the explanation! I was devoured with curiosity.

"What was it? You must tell me!"

"Your hands!" He smiled, showing his strong, white teeth. "Your pretty hands, with the dimples, and the pink nails, and--the sapphire ring!"

"Ah!" I looked down at the big square stone in its setting of diamonds, and felt inclined to stamp with rage at my own forgetfulness. It was my mother's engagement ring, and for years I had worn it every day. To my new friends, of course, it had no a.s.sociations; but for this man who had noticed it on Evelyn's finger, who had gazed with a lover's admiration at Evelyn's hand, the clue was unmistakable! So far as Ralph Maplestone was concerned, all my care, all my pains, had been rendered useless by that one stupid little omission!

I stood dumb and discomfited, and the Chippendale mirror on the opposite wall reflected a round-shouldered figure, a spectacled, disfigured face.

I felt a sudden, overwhelming impatience with my disguise.

"For pity's sake, Evelyn, run away and turn into yourself!" came the command from the big voice. (It is extraordinary how he follows my thoughts!) "I can't make love to you in those things."

"I don't want you to make love to me!" I said--and lied!

"But I do, you see, and it's my turn! I've waited long enough."

He crossed the room, opened the door, and stood with the k.n.o.b in his hand, waiting for me to pa.s.s through. I stiffened my back and stood still. I told myself that to give in--_after that_--meant that I agreed--practically gave my consent. I would _not_ do it! I would _not_! I would stand all day rather than move an inch. Nothing should induce me. He rattled the k.n.o.b, and stared steadily in my face. I turned and--_went_!

"Evelyn Wastneys, will you take this man to be your wedded husband?"

I had come back again--in my blue dress!--and he met me on the threshold, where I verily believe he had been standing waiting, all the time I changed. He took both my hands in his, and asked the question so deeply and seriously that it brought the tears to my eyes.

"I think I--will!" I said shakily. "But you must not be too sudden with me, please, because I was so certain that I never would. You must give me time to get used to the idea."

"You can really love me? You can really manage to care?"

"I can! The difficulty lately has been--the other way! When you didn't come I was afraid. I had a horrible conviction that you'd changed your mind."

He laughed, and drew me closer, wrapping me close in his strong arms. I lay still, and felt as if all my burdens were rolling away, and a big strong barrier hedged me in and protected me from the buffets and responsibilities of life. It was a blissful feeling--full of joy, full of rest. Now it seemed worth while having been a lonely woman. No sheltered, home-living girl could possibly have rejoiced as I rejoiced.

"You are mine! I'll take care of you. No more rushing about, and living in disguise."

"I don't want to ramble. Never did! I want a home, and my own man. Do you remember when you said you would give me my own way--in reason?"

"And you objected that I would wish to come first? I do."

"Bless your lonely heart! So do I. I'm afraid I shall spoil you, Ralph!"

"Oh, do!" he cried, and there was a hunger in his voice that sank deep in my heart. He needed me! How good it was to know that, to realise that in all the teeming millions in the world no woman could be to him that I was!

Later on--after a blissful interlude--I began to ask questions:--

"What will your mother say? Will she be surprised?"

"She'll be delighted, for my sake, and her own! At the bottom of her heart she has always longed to be with her girl. And she's prepared.

She recognised the signs."

"As Charmion did in me. Why? Do we show it in our faces?"

"Of course we do. Why not? Love's a new sense, a new life. If one has any expression at all it _must_ show. I've gone about feeling as if I were labelled 'Evelyn Wastneys. By express route,' for a year past!

Now I've got you! You're coming back to take care of me at the 'Hall'!"

I rather liked the idea of myself as mistress of that old house! With my head on his shoulder I devoted several moments to the consideration of how I should arrange the drawing-room. It was amazing that I could not conjure up one pang of regret for dear "Pastimes!"

"There's a lot to be done first," I told him. "Two homes to break up.

I shall have to find new tenants."

"What about General Underwood for 'Pastimes'?" he asked.

I raised my head and looked at him. He was manfully trying to smile.

"Wretch!" I exclaimed. "So you've got your way after all!"