Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/276

 I; and perhaps," he went on more carelessly, "there is no one who can so easily put things right."

Very impulsively I hurried around the shabby old table, and stood before my companion, with my hands tightly locked together in front of me.

"You thought all this!" I cried rapidly, my eyes growing larger, and a hot flush spreading over my face. "You really mean it? You are a man, like other men, and you—" Here I felt that I was becoming ridiculous; and I restrained the torrent of words which was ready to flow, and stood still, breathing very quickly, and trembling from head to foot.

Mr. Thurber looked slightly embarrassed, and put in his glass, with a grimace.

"I have no words to tell you," I went on more calmly, "of the dreadful state I have been in, and now by a few words you have made me so happy. Oh!" I cried, growing excited again, "is it really as you say? You are indeed the best man I ever knew. How little you realize what you are doing for me!"

He had started to his feet before; now he leaned carelessly on the back of his chair, and shook his head at me.

"You are too much excited" (in a tone of remonstrance). "You will make yourself ill."

For the first time in a week, a hearty, natural laugh broke from my lips. While the sound of it was yet in my ears, the door was quietly opened, and a third person stood before us. He glanced from one of us to the other. I dropped into a chair, for I could not stand.