There had been some difficulty about
his getting up again, Sir William being an elderly gentleman subject to
rheumatism, and Joan had had to expend no small amount of muscular effort
in assisting him; so that the episode which should have been symbolical
ended by leaving them both red and breathless.
He referred to the matter again the same evening in the library while
Lady William slept peacefully in the blue drawing-room; but as it
appeared necessary that the compact should be sealed by a knightly kiss
Joan had failed to ratify it.
She blamed herself on her way home. The poor old gentleman could easily
have been kept in his place. The suffering of an occasional harmless
caress would have purchased for her power and opportunity. Had it not
been somewhat selfish of her? Should she write to him--see him again?
She knew that she never would. It was something apart from her reason.
It would not even listen to her. It bade or forbade as if one were a
child without any right to a will of one's own. It was decidedly
exasperating.
There were others.
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