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It was all so incredible that she little she should have attracted a man of Mr. Covington's calibre to the extent that he should actually want to marry her! And now Allen had called, giving her an outlet for this unusual buoyancy.
Covington's first overtures came just at this time and were coldly received; but as Allen considered the matter, he concluded that he would learn to "purr" too, taking lessons in this gentle art from the one man whom he acknowledged to be its past master. Gorham was surprised by the change in their relations as he saw it, and the boy at once rose in his estimation.
When we had eaten to our hearts' content, our haversacks were abundantly filled by fair hands; then, giving nine rousing cheers for Covington's noble sons and daughters, we reformed in line and marched back to the depot. In a short time all were on board the cars and under way. We passed through Cynthiana and several small towns and arrived at Lexington, where we remained until daylight.
Gorham's sudden trip to Washington made this even more natural. Alice had told her of Covington's proposal, and was eager to discuss the situation from every possible standpoint. To the older woman the girl's attitude toward Allen seemed heartless, yet, knowing her husband's feeling in the matter, she decided that it was wiser to leave the young people to solve their own problem.
"If you will come in I will give you your instructions. Mademoiselle Duval will soon be here." "Is she necessary?" inquired Marjory. "I have engaged the next apartment for myself and maid." "That is very good, but Mademoiselle Duval is necessary for the present. Will you come in?" She followed the doctor into Monsieur Covington's room. There the odor of ether hung still heavier.
Covington's face preserved its calm expression, though his smile seemed forced. "So the object of your visit is blackmail?" he said. "You will fail in this, as you will also fail in your effort to force Mr. Gorham's hand. You have been misinformed I have bought no stock." Harris took a package of papers from his pocket and selected a single sheet on which were written certain figures.
John Covington's mind had been fully occupied during the few days which succeeded Harris's call. Inwardly he blamed himself as a bungler not to have covered his footsteps with greater skill; outwardly he was as unruffled and self-satisfied as ever. He called on Brady with Harris, as he promised.
She could only attribute his present patience to an uncertainty which lay in his own mind as to the truth of the story which he had read; but when he answered Covington's questions, indicating which choice he would make, she could endure it no longer. Rising quickly, she stood between the two men, her face turned toward Gorham. "Robert," she said, "what do you mean?
Gorham repeated to her husband the girl's conversation and added her own interpretation of the situation, carefully avoiding any mention of Covington's proposition, which was the one subject upon which she would have preferred to talk. "She is growing up too fast, Robert," she concluded. "We must make her play more and forget the responsibilities which she insists upon assuming."
Riley asked, anxiously. "Oh, I don't want him for myself," Allen laughed again. "Is Miss Alice in?" "How do I know 'til she tells me, sor?" "All right; you'll have to ask her then, won't you? If she is in, tell her that I've called to have tea with her." Alice was in particularly high spirits. She had digested Covington's proposal, and found that she enjoyed it.
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