Page:Maud Howe - A Newport Aquarelle.djvu/150

 to do so. Then his abrupt departure from Newport without one word of farewell, beyond the Au revoir written on the card which came with a bunch of red roses. Did not that imply that he did not wish to see anything more of her? Perhaps he had seen how things would go between herself and Larkington, and wished to prove that he did not consider himself as a prétendant for her hand, so left the ground clear for the new suitor. It seemed more than likely. It was rather unkind of Cid, though; but did she deserve anything better from him? She grew quite red as she asked herself the question. And on seeing the flush mount to her forehead in the mirror, she sprang to her feet, angry and defiant, at war with herself, and with a bitter cry against the cruelty of fate, in her heart.

She dressed herself not the less with great care, and chose the dark blue gown in which Larkington had first seen her at the Casino, and which he preferred to any other of her