Page:By Sanction of Law.pdf/84

 away. Bennet thought of Lida then wondered. He looked at the girl at his side and saw only earnestness and sincerity in her face. At first he was on the point of denouncing her but at sight of the seriousness mirrored in her countenance he controlled himself and was all sympathy.

"You can't really mean that, Miss Comstock. You're joking" Bennet managed to say.

"I'm in deep earnest, Mr. Bennet." The tone proved her sincerity.

The solemnity with which the words were uttered and the expression on the girl's face were convincing. They had paused in their walk and stood facing each other. There was a long silence in which the nervous breathing of each could be heard. One could also almost hear the throbbing of the girl's heart. Bennet spoke at last, in his deep vibrant voice.

"Pardon me. I couldn't sense it at first. I'm sorry—very sorry I cannot, however much I like to oblige a lady and relieve her of the embarrassment of such a situation. I would not have had this happen for the world. Why,—don't you know of my engagement—Miss Comstock you can't be serious. I'm engaged to Miss Lida Lauriston. Didn't you know that?"

"Engaged to Lida? Oh-h-h-h—I didn't know. I didn't know. I didn't know." At these words the girl was overcome with a fit of weeping for a few moments, great spasms of grief shaking her entire body. Suddenly, with teats blinding her she wheeled and hurriedly—almost ran from him.