quickly, for it must have been very trying to her.
This love of his was so new. Her position was so very difficult. And
yet, on this first call when she had been suddenly put in touch with
him, she had shown no signs of trepidation. Her voice had been firm and
even, much more so than his, for he was nervously excited. She had taken
in the situation at once and fallen into the ruse quite readily. Was she
as simple as she seemed? Yes and no. She was simply capable, he thought
and her capability had acted through her simplicity instantly.
At two the same day Eugene was there. He gave as an excuse to his
secretary that he was going out for a business conference with a
well-known author whose book he wished to obtain, and, calling a closed
auto, but one not his own, journeyed to the rendezvous. He asked the man
to drive down the road, making runs of half a mile to and fro while he
sat in the shade of a clump of trees out of view of the road. Presently
Suzanne came, bright and fresh as the morning, beautiful in a light
purple walking costume of masterly design. She had on a large soft
brimmed hat with long feathers of the same shade which became her
exquisitely. She walked with an air of grace and freedom, and yet when
he looked into her eyes, he saw a touch of trouble there.
"At last?" he said signaling her and smiling. "Come in here. My car is
just up the road. Don't you think we had better get in? It's closed. We
might be seen. How long can you stay?"
He took her in his arms and kissed her eagerly while she explained that
she could not stay long. She had said she was going to the library,
which her mother had endowed, for a book. She must be there by half past
three or four at the least.
"Oh, we can talk a great deal by then," he said gaily. "Here comes the
car. Let's get in."
He looked cautiously about, hailed it, and they stepped in quickly as it
drew up.
"Perth Amboy," said Eugene, and they were off at high speed.
Once in the car all was perfect, for they could not be seen. He drew the
shades partially and took her in his arms.
"Oh, Suzanne," he said, "how long it has seemed. How very long. Do you
love me?"
"Yes, you know I do."
"Suzanne, how shall we arrange this? Are you going away soon? I must see
you oftener."
"I don't know," she said. "I don't know what mama is thinking of doing.
I know she wants to go up to Lenox in the fall."
"Oh, Pshaw!" commented Eugene wearily.
"Listen, Mr. Witla,
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