Page:Dale - A Marriage Below Zero.djvu/75

Rh this world was after all a good place in which to be.

I looked at Arthur. His face was livid. Its startling pallor gave me a shock. I forgot everything for the moment in my anxiety for his present welfare.

"You are ill?" I said.

He looked at me in surprise.

"No," he replied in a low tone. "I am well. Should I not be well"—with a great effort and a strained smile—"when you have just accepted my—my suit?"

Have you ever experienced the unpleasant sensation of knowing that somebody was staring at you, and been impelled to look in their direction? Of course you have. So you will not be surprised if I tell you that I turned from Arthur Ravener and glanced toward the door. Captain Dillington had been staring at me. He looked confused, I am glad to say, when I returned his stare with interest. In fact he tinned immediately away, and began an animated conversation with one of his favorite plump matrons.

"Arthur," I said, impulsively, "I know you