Page:The wrong box (IA wrongbox00stevrich).pdf/215

 dreadful trouble? you poor boy, no!' cried Julia; and, in the warmth of the moment, reached him her other hand; 'you may count on me,' she added.

'Really?' said Gideon.

'Really and really!' replied the girl.

'I do then, and I will,' cried the young man. 'I admit the moment is not well chosen; but I have no friends—to speak of.'

'No more have I,' said Julia. 'But don't you think it's perhaps time you gave me back my hands?'

'La ci darem la mano,' said the barrister, 'the merest moment more! I have so few friends,' he added.

'I thought it was considered such a bad account of a young man to have no friends,' observed Julia.

'Oh, but I have crowds of friends!' cried Gideon. 'That's not what I mean. I feel the moment is ill chosen; but oh, Julia, if you could only see yourself!'

'Mr. Forsyth'

'Don't call me by that beastly name!' cried the youth. 'Call me Gideon!'

'Oh, never that,' from Julia. 'Besides, we have known each other such a short time.'

'Not at all!' protested Gideon. 'We met at Bournemouth ever so long ago. I never forgot you since. Say you never forgot me. Say you never forgot me, and call me Gideon!'