Page:Herbert Jenkins - The Rain Girl.djvu/282



THINK my pride was hurt." Lola looked across at Beresford with a faint smile. "You see," she continued, "auntie was very cross with me and she said things about what men think of girls who—who" she broke off.

"But why did you go away without a word?" he asked. "I thought—oh! it was hell, just hell."

"My dear!" Her eyes contracted as she looked at him, and he saw tears in their depths.

"Don't you think that you might have rung me up the next morning?" she asked gently.

"After the luncheon?" he queried.

She nodded.

"I did; but you were out."

"Auntie has gone away. I'm afraid I have been very ungrateful; but I had to—to say something after those—those" She looked across at him helplessly. "Auntie vows she will never speak to me again," she added.

Beresford strove to disguise the relief he felt at the news that Mrs. Crisp was to go out of Lola's life. To change the subject he suggested that they should call on Lady Drewitt that afternoon and tell her their news. 278