What does Birdie say?"
"She says you are the noblest, most unselfish man that ever
lived," and Edith kissed his lips, chiding herself seriously for
the spirit which whispered to her that she too would rather go
without him. "I won't stay very long," she said. "Our wedding need
not be deferred more than two months; say, till the first of
January, at 7 o'clock, just as we before arranged it for October,
only a more quiet affair, I shall then be your New Year's gift.
Does that suit you, dearest?"
She did not often call him thus, and when she did she was sure of
accomplishing her purpose. The strong man melted beneath a few
words of love, becoming a very tool in the hands of a weak girl.
"Yes, darling," he replied, "that will do--but supposing we hear
that Nina is better, or dead--what then?"
The mere possibility was terrible to Edith, but she answered
calmly,
"Then we'll be married in October, just as first proposed;" and
thus was the die cast, and a fresh link added to the chain of
Edith's destiny. She was going to Florida; going to Arthur; and
going alone, so far as Richard was concerned.
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