Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/131

 'Oh, no!' she said. 'We shall have our usual party.'

'May I come one day next week?' I asked humbly.

Mrs. Hilary thought for a moment.

'I'm so busy next week—come the week after,' said she, giving me her hand.

'That's very unkind,' said I.

'Nonsense!' said Mrs. Hilary; and she added, 'Mind you let me know when you're coming.'

'I won't surprise you,' I assured her, with a covert glance at the matron.

The excellent woman was quite red in the face, and could gasp out nothing but 'Good-bye,' as Mrs. Hilary affectionately pressed her hand.

At this moment Dolly came up. She was alone.

'Where's Archie?' I asked.

'He's run away; he's got to meet somebody. I knew you'd see me home. Mrs. Hilary didn't want you, of course?'

'Of course not,' said I plaintively.

'Besides, you'd rather come with me, wouldn't you?' pursued Dolly; and she added pleasantly to the matron, 'Mrs. Hilary's so down on him, you know.'

'I'd much rather come with you,' said I.

'We'll have a cosy drive all to ourselves, said Dolly, 'without husbands or wives or anything horrid. Isn't it nice to get rid of one's husband sometimes, Mrs. Wiggins?'

'I have the misfortune to be a widow, Lady Mickleham,' said Mrs. Wiggins.