Page:Richard Marsh--The goddess a demon.djvu/259

Rh honour's sake, which I thought might be a consideration, perhaps, with you. Still, I'm under orders. If you bid me I will go. But—mayn't I come?" I could deny her nothing which she asked in such a tone, though it were an apple out of Eden. But I was gruff.

"Then take my arm."

"I'd like to."

I know I was a fool, and should have forbidden her to go with us, nor have allowed her, wheedle as she might, to have run the risk of what might be to come; but when I felt her little hand upon my arm, I would not have had her take it off again, not—not for a great deal.

When we had gone a little way from the station, Mr. Bernstein, corkscrewing his way through the crowd, reached Lawrence's side. Apparently, although he had made an effort to screw his courage to the sticking point, he was still not quite satisfied as to the sort of reception which he might receive; he spoke with such an air of deprecation.

"Now, Ted, dear boy, don't be shirty, it's only me. Do take my advice—be careful! Don't go too far! Be reasonable, and I'll be the best friend you ever had, as I always have been; only—do pull up before it's too late!"