'
'Oh, she! Well, you can marry her if you like. That would not be a bad
notion. But if you do, you'll forget all about me and Lady Hayward.'
'No; I shall never forget you, Rose.' He stretched his hand to her; but,
irrespective of his will, the gesture seemed full of farewell.
'I'm so much obliged to you,' he said; 'had it not been for you, I might
never have opened that letter.'
'Even if you hadn't, it wouldn't have mattered; you would have heard of
your good fortune some other way. But it is getting very late. I must say
good-night. I hope you will have a pleasant time in the country, and will
finish your play. Good-night.'
Returning from the door, he stopped to think. 'We have been very good
friends--that is all. How strangely determined she is!... More so than I
am. She is bound to succeed. There is in her just that note of individual
passion.... Perhaps some one will find her out before I have
finished,--that would be a pity. I wonder which of us will succeed first?'
Then the madness of good fortune came upon him suddenly; he could think no
more of Rose, and had to go for a long walk in the streets.
VII
'Dearest Emily, you must prepare yourself for the worst.'
'Is he dead?'
'Yes; he passed away quite quietly.
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