"Oh yes--often. I mean--to help you--in my own way."
Ashe's laugh was a sound of pure annoyance.
"But please understand, it would be
infinitely better if you would
help me, in
my way--in the natural, accepted way--the way that
everybody understands."
"The way Lord Parham recommends?" Kitty looked at him quietly. "Never
mind, William. I
am trying to help you."
Her eyes shone with the strangest glitter. Ashe was conscious of another
of those sudden stabs of anxiety about her which he had felt at
intervals through the preceding year. His face softened.
"Dear, don't let's talk nonsense! Just look at me sometimes at dinner,
and say to yourself, 'William asks me--for his sake--to be nice to Lord
Parham.'"
He again drew her to him, but she repulsed him almost with violence.
"Why is he here? Why have we people dining? We ought to be alone--in the
dark!"
Her face had become a white mask. Her breast rose and fell, as though
she fought with sobs.
"Kitty--what do you mean?" He recoiled in dismay.
"Harry!"--she just breathed the word between her closed lips.
"My darling!" cried Ashe, "I saw Dr.
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