Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/155

 'Oh, of course,' said I, 'that will be your story. Mine, however, I shall tell in my own way.'

Rhadamanthus blushed again. Evidently he felt that he was in a delicate position. We were standing thus, facing one another, when the door began to open again, and Dolly put her head out.

'Oh, it's you, is it?' she said. 'I thought I heard your voice. Come along and help me to find Archie.'

'This gentleman says I'm not to come in,' said I.

'Oh, what nonsense! Now, you really mustn't be silly, Mr. Rhadamanthus, or I shall have to Mr. Carter, you weren't there, were you?'

'I was—and a more interesting piece of scandal it has seldom been'

'Hush! I didn't do anything. Now, you know I didn't, Mr. Carter!'

'No,' said I, 'you didn't. But Rhadamanthus, taking you unawares'

'Oh, be off with you—both of you!' cried Rhadamanthus.

'That's sensible,' said Dolly. 'Because, you know, there really isn't any harm in poor Mr. Carter.'

Rhadamanthus vanished. Dolly and I went inside.

'I suppose everything will be very different here,' said Dolly, and I think she sighed.

Whether it were or not I don't know, for just then I awoke, and found myself saying