We would bury forever in the secret places of our hearts what had
already happened between us ... this was my first impulse....
My next was--that we should up and run away together, and defy Penton
Baxter and the world.
* * * * *
Hildreth could see by the strangeness in my behaviour, as I came into
the cottage, to kiss her good-night ... and stay a little while--a new
custom of ours, as we grew bolder--could see that I had something on my
mind.
I related to her all that had taken place between me and Penton that
morning....
"The cad," she cried, "the nasty cad, to talk to you so about me ... I
would have told you myself because you are my lover ... but he had no
right to tell you ... as far as he has proof positive, you are merely a
mutual friend....
"But that's the way with him. He has mixed his own life up so that it is
all public, to him.
"Yes," she cried impetuously and passionately ... "it's true ... I have
not been faithful to him before...."
"--and you returned to him? wasn't that weak?"
I took her hands in mine, with mind and soul made up at last....
"This time you can go through with it. Here's a man who will stand by
you forever. I can earn a living for both of us, and--"
"Don't let's discuss the horrid old subject any more to-night ... I'm
tired of discussing ... as you love me, read some poetry to me .
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