by W. W. Jacobs
said the mystified Mr. Mott.
"You told me----"
"You tell her that," said the other.
Mr. Mott stood for a few seconds staring at him, and then without a wordturned on his heel and went upstairs. Left to himself, Mr. Hurst walkednervously up and down the room, and, catching sight of his face in theold-fashioned glass on the mantel-piece, heightened its colour by a fewpinches. The minutes seemed inter-minable, but at last he heard thesteps of Mr. Mott on the stairs again.
"She's coming down to see you herself," said the latter, solemnly.
Mr. Hurst nodded, and, turning to the window, tried in vain to take aninterest in passing events. A light step sounded on the stairs, the doorcreaked, and he turned to find himself con-fronted by Miss Garland.
"Uncle told me" she began, coldly. Mr. Hurst bowed.
"I am sorry to have caused you so much trouble," he said, trying tocontrol his voice, "but you see my position, don't you?"
"No," said the girl.
"Well, I wanted to make sure," said Mr. Hurst. "It's best for all of us,isn't it? Best for you, best for me, and, of course, for my young lady."
"You never said anything about her before," said Miss Garland, her eyesdarkening.
"Of course not," said Mr. Hurst. "How could I? I was engaged to you,and then she wasn't my young lady; but, of course, as soon as you brokeit off--"
"Who is she?" inquired Miss Garland, in a casual voice.
"You don't know her," said Mr. Hurst.
"What is she like?"
"I can't describe her very well," said Mr. Hurst. "I can only say she'sthe most beautiful girl I have ever seen. I think that's what made metake to her. And she's easily pleased. She liked the things I have beenbuying for the house tremendously."
"Did she?" said Miss Garland, with a gasp.
"All except that pair of vases you chose," continued the veracious Mr.Hurst. "She says they are in bad taste, but she can give them to thecharwoman."
"Oh!" said the girl. "Oh, indeed! Very kind of her. Isn't thereanything else she doesn't like?"
Mr. Hurst stood considering.
"She doesn't like the upholstering of the best chairs," he said at last."She thinks they are too showy, so she's going to put covers over them."
There was a long pause, during which Mr. Mott, taking his niece gently bythe arm, assisted her to a chair.
"Otherwise she is quite satisfied," concluded Mr. Hurst.
Miss Garland took a deep breath, but made no reply.
"I have got to satisfy her that I am free," said the young man, afteranother pause. "I suppose that I can do so?"
"I--I'll think it over," said Miss Garland, in a low voice. "I am notsure what is the right thing to do. I don't want to see you mademiserable for life. It's nothing to me, of course, but still--"
She got up and, shaking off the proffered assistance of her uncle, wentslowly and languidly up to her room. Mr. Mott followed her as far as thedoor, and then turned indignantly upon Mr. Hurst.
"You--you've broke her heart," he said, solemnly.
"That's all right," said Mr. Hurst, with a delighted wink. "I'll mend itagain."