He did not
know Edith Hastings; he had not yet fathomed the depths of her
womanly nature, and he could not guess how tenderly, even while
her own heart was breaking, she would have soothed his grief and
been like an angel of mercy to the innocent cause of all his woe.
"I dare not tell you," he said. "You would hate me if I did, and
that I could not endure. It may not be pleasant for you to come
here any more, and perhaps you had better not."
For a moment Edith sat motionless. She had not expected this from
Arthur, and it roused within her a feeling of resentment.
"And so you only sent for me to give me my dismissal," she said,
in a cold, icy tone. "Be it as you like. I draw tolerably well,
you say. I have no doubt I can get along alone. Send your bill at
once to Mr. Harrington. He does not like to be in debt."
She spoke proudly, haughtily, and her eyes, usually so soft in
their expression, had in them a black look of anger, which pierced
Arthur's very soul. He could not part with her THUS, and grasping
the hand reached out to take its gauntlet, he held it fast, while
he said, "What are we doing, Edith? Quarrelling? It must not be.
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