He had met her half-way, that was all.
But surely it was only during this absence that this idea of abandoning
Sophie, and turning to herself, had occurred to him. Half as a question,
half as an exclamation, the words found their way through Cornelia's
twitching lips--
"What has happened to you since you went away?"
"Oh! since we love each other, there's no use talking about that at
present. If I had any idea of marrying Sophie, now, I should have to go
and tell her every thing. It's so convenient to be certain that
_nothing_ can change your love for me, Cornelia! No, no! I wouldn't be
so suspicious of you as to tell you now."
"When am I to know, then?" she asked, fearful of she knew not what.
"After we're married, there shall be a clearing up of it all. You'll be
much amused! By-the-way, I found out one queer thing--what my real name
is!"
"Your real name!"
"Yes--who I am; you know I said I wasn't the same who was engaged to
marry Sophie. Well, I'm not; he was a myth--there was no such person. I
always thought 'Bressant' was an _incognito_, didn't you? But it turns
out to be the only name I have! I hope you like it; do you think 'Mrs.
Bressant' sounds well?"
"What does all this mean? What are you going to do with me? Are you
making a sport of me?" cried Cornelia, clasping both hands over
Bressant's arm, in a passion of helplessness.
Pages:
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339
340
341
342
343
344
345
346
347
348
349