to shrink. She knew she had been wronged, and she knew that she had no
remedy.
What she heard of Col. Selby’s proposed departure alarmed her more than
anything else, and she calmly determined that if he was deceiving her the
second time it should be the last. Let society finish the tragedy if it
liked; she was indifferent what came after. At the first opportunity,
she charged Selby with his intention to abandon her. He unblushingly
denied it.
He had not thought of going to Europe. He had only been amusing himself
with Sellers’ schemes. He swore that as soon as she succeeded with her
bill, he would fly with her to any part of the world.
She did not quite believe him, for she saw that he feared her, and she
began to suspect that his were the protestations of a coward to gain
time. But she showed him no doubts.
She only watched his movements day by day, and always held herself ready
to act promptly.
When Philip came into the presence of this attractive woman, he could not
realize that she was the subject of all the scandal he had heard. She
received him with quite the old Hawkeye openness and cordiality, and fell
to talking at once of their little acquaintance there; and it seemed
impossible that he could ever say to her what he had come determined to
say. Such a man as Philip has only one standard by which to judge women.
Laura recognized that fact no doubt. The better part of her woman’s
nature saw it. Such a man might, years ago, not now, have changed her
nature, and made the issue of her life so different, even after her cruel
abandonment. She had a dim feeling of this, and she would like now to
stand well with him. The spark of truth and honor that was left in her
was elicited by his presence. It was this influence that governed her
conduct in this interview.
“I have come,” said Philip in his direct manner, “from my friend
Mr. Brierly. You are not ignorant of his feeling towards you?”
“Perhaps not.”
“But perhaps you do not know, you who have so much admiration, how
sincere and overmastering his love is for you?” Philip would not have
spoken so plainly, if he had in mind anything except to draw from Laura
something that would end Harry’s passion.
“And is sincere love so rare, Mr. Sterling?” asked Laura, moving her foot
a little, and speaking with a shade of sarcasm.
“Perhaps not in Washington,” replied Philip,–tempted into a similar
tone. “Excuse my bluntness,” he continued, “but would the knowledge of
his love; would his devotion, make any difference to you in your
Washington life?”
“In respect to what?” asked Laura quickly.
“Well, to others. I won’t equivocate–to Col. Selby?”
Laura’s face flushed with anger, or shame; she looked steadily at Philip
and began,
“By what right, sir,–”
“By the right of friendship,” interrupted Philip stoutly. “It may matter
little to you. It is everything to him. He has a Quixotic notion that
you would turn back from what is before you for his sake. You cannot be
ignorant of what all the city is talking of.” Philip said this
determinedly and with some bitterness.
It was a full minute before Laura spoke. Both had risen, Philip as if to
go, and Laura in suppressed excitement. When she spoke her voice was
very unsteady, and she looked down.
Yes, I know. I perfectly understand what you mean. Mr. Brierly is
nothing–simply nothing. He is a moth singed, that is all–the trifler
with women thought he was a wasp. I have no pity for him, not the least.
You may tell him not to make a fool of himself, and to keep away. I say
this on your account, not his. You are not like him. It is enough for
me that you want it so. Mr. Sterling,” she continued, looking up; and
there were tears in her eyes that contradicted the hardness of her
language, “you might not pity him if you knew my history; perhaps you
would not wonder at some things you hear. No; it is useless to ask me