Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/282

"Georgie" "Of course I'm right," said I.

We are told that adversity shows up our friends in their true colors, and certainly Georgie's disasters bore strange fruit.

It was whilst I was very busy with the last proofs of my "The Lost Columbine" that my sister-in-law came into my study for a strictly private interview, and I studied her agitated face with much surprise. I was at a loss to understand such a radiant excitement in Anne. We still disliked each other considerably.

She sat down in the chair opposite to me and leaned her elbows on my table.

"Martin," she began in her quiet voice, "I want you to help me in something. I know you don't like me, and perhaps you don't quite understand me, but you are the only person I can come to now."

I was very much surprised.

"My dear girl," said I, with an effort to be affectionate and polite. "I shall be delighted to do anything for you, of course. But what can I do?" 266