"Oh! Oh! You must have it all! It's coming still. It's, it's-oh! My dear life! What a treat!"
He withdrew quickly. He lost no time in readjusting his clothes. In another second he was gone.
I hastened along the quiet street. Of course there were no vacant cabs in view. I turned a corner. I found myself in a better thoroughfare. I stopped before a well-lighted pastry cook's shop. I read an announcement, "Afternoon Tea." I entered, overjoyed to find myself safe. Behind the shop was the tea-room. Behind that again a smaller room, also with small tables for tea. I traversed all. I sat down. A nice-looking woman in a rustling silk dress and white apron, followed me. I ordered tea.
"Will you wait a little, or shall I serve you now?"
I wondered why she asked. I did not immediately reply. I demanded the ladies' retiring room. There I rearranged all my disorder. On my return, the tea had been served. There were two cups on the tray.
"Please bring me tea-cake and some ginger nuts."
The nice-looking woman appeared disconcerted.
"Are you quite alone? Is it tea for one, miss?"
Suddenly the explanation came to me. I had heard of these little "Afternoon Tea" shops. This was one. I glanced around. In one corner was a tiny iron spiral staircase. A small door, which closed with a spring, let from this room towards the side of the house. I took all in directly.
"Yes, I am alone, as you see. I fear there has been some mistake. My friend will not come now."
The kind-looking woman smiled. She evidently thought I was disappointed.
"Never mind, he had probably mistaken the time."
"No doubt. Where does that staircase lead to?"
The shopwoman smiled again. She evidently did not believe in the sincerity of my ignorance. She leaned forward and whispered:
"You have been here before, miss. I thought you knew all our little ways, all our little arrangements. You ought to know where it goes."
"Still, you see, it is pleasant to revisit old scenes."
"No doubt, when one has been well amused among them, miss. Pray come up. You are welcome. Mind the high steps and the sharp turn."
We mounted the iron ladder, for such almost it was. To my surprise, I found myself in a small, but beautifully furnished room, half boudoir, half bed-chamber.
There as a somewhat narrow bed in a corner, a cozy sofa, a toilet table, marble washstand, etc., several pretty chairs, and some framed olographs from the illustrated papers on the walls. One discreetly curtained window afforded the necessary light.
"Looks comfortable, does it not, miss? If you could send me a line another time beforehand, it would be better, and I could have all prepared. We are obliged to be very particular, as you know."
We descended. My new friend let me out by the little side door into a passage which led into the street again. I had had my tea. I had also a bag of ginger nuts. I reached home. Good Heavens, what risks to have run! What ruin may I not have courted!
"Where is Sir Edward?"
"He is already in the brougham at the door waiting for you, Miss Eveline."
"Thank you, John. Here are some ginger nuts for Robin. Where is my maid? Fanny, I will wear my seal jacket. Thank you, Fanny. Open the door, John. I am ready."
"Dear Papa, how well you look today! Shall we go to the park, or have you any calls to make?"
"No, my darling, we will go first to the park."
I had dressed myself with particular care on purpose to please him. I saw him taking note of all. His delight in my society appeared to increase. When we were alone he assumed quite a different air towards me. It was not artificially assumed, but evidently real. He lowered his voice; its intonation became more tender-more sympathetic. He would sit in the brougham with my hand in his, gently stroking the soft kid of my gloves, and leaning towards me until his moustache almost brushed my cheek. He would tell me of his Indian experiences, of the battles, his narrow escapes, his troubles and triumphs.
On this occasion it was nearly dark before we returned. We had enjoyed a very snug and confidential drive. His arm was passed round my waist and his right hand toyed as usual with mine. I leanedy head on his shoulder. My warm breath fanned his cheek. His eyes looked into mine. They were fine eyes on ordinary occasions. I fancied now they were full of passion. He kissed me hotly on the lips.
"My darling Eveline, you are cold. Your neck is uncovered."
He essayed to clasp my seal jacket closer. His hand wandered to my bosom. There it stopped.
"Poor little girl, she is too good, too beautiful to be cold when I am by to warm her. I will not drive to the club. I will return with you."
He tightened his grasp of my figure. He renewed his caresses.
"Dearest papa! If you knew all that your little Eveline thinks of you! How she values your love, and your kisses. She has never known much affection before. Now you are with me, all is changed-all is happy."
He turned still more. His breast beat upon mine. Our lips met in a long delicious kiss. He was half beside himself with passionate desire. I was fully as much entranced. The utmost disorder reigned in our embrace-in our posture. His hand trembled violently as he thrust in within my dress and grasped my bosom.
"Oh, my child, how beautiful are you! How magnificent already is your development! What a lovely bust!"
Our faces would have betrayed us had anyone suddenly appeared. They were scarlet with the wildest desire. I dare not give it another name. I noticed we were nearing home. I cautioned Sir Edward. He recovered himself with precipitancy.
We understood each other now. A silent confidence had been sown which would bear its fruits hereafter.
I dressed for dinner with care. No low dress, but a close-fitting bodice which showed my youthful figure to the utmost advantage.
I took especial care to study my papa's tastes. He had excellent taste in dress. Young as I was, I had already acquired among my friends a reputation for correct taste in all matters relating to feminine attire. It seemed to come natural to me. A woman dresses to please others, and in her success or failure she has her reward. It may be that, in some cases, she may dress to spite her own sex, but the ultimate result is the same-she triumphs with the male sex to her dear friends' discomfiture.
Most men have idiosyncrasies in some small matters which in sensual temperaments are sometimes exaggerated to the extent of manias.
Sir Edward was sensual to the center of his being, only you had to find him out. He had a habit of disguising it under qualities of a rougher nature. I knew already his little weak points. They were no manias, but they were there. I traced them. My quick woman's wit, my habit of close observation, a restless spirit of inductive reasoning all combined, enabled me quickly to arrive at a thorough knowledge of his inner character. I detected the sensuous eyes, the evident pleasure with which he fondled my soft gloves, or allowed his gaze to linger upon my daintily fitting little boots.
After dinner, Papa went to his club. Lady L had kept to her room all day. Champagne and soda were doing their work again. Somehow, in spite of Mrs. Lockett's caution, she had got a supply by means of Sippett, her maid. I went up to my own room. Thence I turned into the corridor which led up to Lady L 's suite. Halfway up, I espied Sippett sampling the beef-tea, which, by the doctor's orders, she was taking to her mistress. I felt uneasy. My senses had been roused. I was on fire in my longing for gratification. I hated this restraint. I went back to the dining room. I rang the bell.