She raised her eyes shyly, and smiled as she replied, "Do you really
think so, Mr. Freeman?"
"Call me Edgar, I like it better; and we've known each other long enough
to account for your doing so." He did not give her a chance of
objecting, but continued, "I only landed in England yesterday, and you
are the first person I've called on. I got your address from my cousin,
Mrs. Perry--Maud Elliott that was; she's living in Monte Video, you
know; I saw her for a few hours as I passed through. Really, Selina,
you're looking prettier than ever, I declare!"
"You mustn't flatter an old woman, Mr. Freeman--well--Edgar, if you wish
it. I don't think perhaps there is anything unmaidenly in my using your
Christian name. We've known each other a great many years now, as you
say."
"We have indeed, my dear lady. And we might have known each other a
great deal better if--if--well, if you had only seen your way to it. But
there--that's all passed now. And yet----"
"Yes, that's all passed now." And Selina gave a little sigh, yet loud
enough for her visitor to hear it, and he moved his chair from the side
to the front of the fire as she continued, "Do you know--Edgar--just
before you came in I made a discovery--I found something that reached me
a day or two before you sailed, and that I had never seen till half an
hour ago," and she looked down at her fingers that were playing with the
end of the delicate lace fichu she was wearing.
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