Page:Anthony Hope - The Dolly Dialogues.djvu/31

 as you did the other day, you wouldn't repeat what you see.'

'Lord!' he cried. 'She's not heard of that? I only told Aunt Cynthia.'

I said something about Aunt Cynthia.

'Does—does she know it all?' asked Miss Dolly.

'More than all—much more.'

'Didn't you smooth it over?' said Miss Dolly reproachfully.

'On reflection,' said I, 'I don't know that I did—much.' (I hadn't, you know.)

Suddenly Mickleham burst out laughing.

'What a game!' he exclaimed.

'That's all very well for you,' said Dolly. 'But do you happen to remember that we dine there to-night?'

Archie grew grave.

'I hope you'll enjoy yourselves,' said I. 'I always cling to the belief that the wicked are punished.' And I looked at Miss Dolly.

'Never you mind, little woman,' said Archie, drawing Miss Dolly's arm through his. 'I'll see you through. After all, everybody knows that old Carter's an ass.'

That piece of universal knowledge may help matters, but I do not quite see how. I walked on, for Miss Dolly had quite forgotten me, and was looking up at Archie Mickleham like—well, hang it, in the way they do, you know. So I just walked on.

I believe Miss Dolly has got a husband who is (let us say) good enough for her. And, for