Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/112

 . Fortunately, however, I have no authority over Judith, and in about six months she may marry whom she chooses."

"Ah!" murmured the impassive young man beside me.

After a moment he went on, with a strange tone in his voice, "I was thinking of you when I asked the question."

For an instant my heart stood still; then I concluded I must have misunderstood him, so I counted the stitches in my work calmly, and said,—

"I never think of myself in that way. As I do not intend to marry, I have no occasion to look upon any one I meet in the light of a possible husband."

Mr. Thurber sat up stiffly in his chair, and gazed attentively at me. I could feel his eye-glass, though I did not meet his glance.

"Why do you not intend to marry?" he asked suddenly.

"For reasons best known to myself," I said, with some asperity, adding afterwards, with a little laugh, "You force me to be rude in my replies. I can only tell you that I have good reasons, and that I shall never marry."

His face did not relax; he still gazed at me, and murmured under his breath, "Ah!"

I folded up my work slowly, and brought a newspaper from the table, which I handed to him,—

"There! I know you wish to read your 'Times.' I have a note to write."