Page:The Private Life, Lord Beaupré, The Visits (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1893).djvu/227

Rh "Promise me, promise me, promise me!" she continued to wail.

I was horribly puzzled, but I was immeasurably touched. I stood looking a moment at her extravagant prostration; then I said, "I'm dreadfully in the dark, but I promise."

This brought her to her feet again, and again she seized my hands. "Solemnly, sacredly?" she panted.

"Solemnly, sacredly."

"Not a syllable—not a hint?"

"Dear Louisa," I said, kindly, "when I promise I perform."

"You see I don't know you. And when do you go to Chantry?"

"Day after to-morrow. And when do you?"

"To-morrow, if I can."

"Then you'll see your mother first—it will be all right," I said, smiling.

"All right, all right!" she repeated, with her woful eyes. "Go, go!" she added, hearing a step in the adjoining room.

The footman had come back to announce that my friends were seated in the carriage,