Page:Georgie by Dorothea Deakin, 1906.djvu/48

"Georgie" over between us. I was too young to know my own mind when I made that promise and I feel that I can't in perfect honor go on being engaged to you, when I have promised to marry the curate next March. Forgive me, dear, if I have made you unhappy, and believe me,

Always your true friend, .

I looked up from this effusion to poor Georgie's woeful face.

"Poor old boy," said I, "it is hard lines. I'm so sorry."

"It's a bit of a sickener, isn't it?" said Georgie. "And now Drusilla as well! Sort of hits a chap when he's down, don't you know. When I think of the way I've loved that girl—"

"Which?" said I quietly.

"Both of 'em," desperately. "So now you know."

"I'm very sorry for you," I murmured gravely.

He flushed and hesitated, then made a plunge. "Wait a bit," he cried, "Martin—I suppose I'd better tell you—" 32