Chapter ninety three
776 Words
Ah. I suspected as much. Well,my dear Evelyn, sider a more prossing question No doubt you will ve inqutire of those references I mentioned before making an cision as to”
"No."Evelyn shook her head vigorously. Her golden cun danced. "I need no references, and no time to consider. would love to be your companion, Amelia.Indeed-1 thi we will get on very well together.”
With a quick, graceful movement she leaned forward an kissed me lightly on the cheek. The gesture took me quite b surprise. I mumbled something and left the room. I neve had a sister. I began to think that perhaps a gesture that ha begun as an act of charity might benefit me as much as helped its object.
IV
I may say, without undue egotism, that when I make up m mind to do something, it is done quickly. The lethargic ol city of the Popes fairly quaked under my ruthless hand dur ing the following week.
The week brought several surprises to me. I had looke
forward to adopting Evelyn and dressing her, rather as if she
had been a prety,living doll.I wanted to buy for her all th
dainty, impractical garments I could not wear myself.
she was not a doll, and she soon made that fact apparent.
don't know quite how she accomplished it, for she neve
openly contermanded an order or contradicted me;but
eventually acquired a wardrobe that process,
ple and astonishingly inexpensive. was charming and sin
And,in the
somehow acquired half a dozen new frocks of my own.
which I had had no intention of buying.They were not the
kind of frocks I would have chosen for myself.One evening
most aston
dress,which I certainly did not need,was of thecut severa
ishing shade of crimson,with a square neckline
20nches lower than anything I had ever worn. The skirts draped back over a bustle, displaying a sequined under Evelyn chose the fabric and bullied the dressmaker qu ffectively, and much more quietly, than I would have I thought the gown quite absurd; it squeezed my waist o nothing and made my bosom look even more ample t unfortunately is. But when Evelyn said, “Wear it”;I t. She was an amazing girl. She also discovered a w ness, so secret I was not aware of it myself, for embroid batiste; the dozens of fine undergarments and nightgow had meant to get for her ended being made to my meas ments.
I was in something of a daze during that week. I felt as ad picked up a pathetic, half-drowned kitten from a p and then had seen it turn into a full-grown tiger. Enough my natural instincts remained, however, to allow me to ta certain practical steps.
I am not at all a man-hater, despite the innuendos of certain person whose name has not yet entered into this na rative. I had found, however, that few persons of the ma s*x were to be trusted, and Evelyn's story had merely cor firmed this theory. It was obvious that Alberto was an un truthful person. The story he had written to Evelyn abouthe grandfather was not to be believed without investigation. therefore went to our consul in Rome and made inquiries.
I was disappointed for several reasons to learn that on this account, if no other, Alberto had spoken the truth. The Earl of Ellesmere was personally known to our consul; and of course the health of a peer of such rank was a matter of general concern. The elderly earl was not yet dead,but word of his demise was expected at any moment. He had been in a deep coma for days.
I proceeded to tell the consul about Evelyn.He had heard rumors of this affair; that was clear, from the way his face changed to its blank diplomatic mask. He had the temerity to remonstrate with me when I explained my intentions with regard to the girl. I cut him short, naturally.I had only tworeasons for mentioning Evelyn at all. Firstly, to ascertaii whether or not any of her kin had made inquiries about her Secondly, to inform someone in authority of her future whereabouts in case such inquiries should be made in the future. The answer to the first question was negative. Th diplomatic mask notwithstanding, I could see by the consul' expression that he did not expect any such inquiries; h: knew the old Earl too well. I therefore gave him my addres in Cairo and departed, leaving him shaking his headand mumbling to himself.
On the twenty-eighth of the month we boarded the ship a Brindisi and set sail for Alexandria.
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