"I
don't understand you," he said; "I wish you liked Miss Garland either a
little less, or a little more."
Rowland felt himself coloring, but he paid no heed to Roderick's speech.
"You ask me to help you," he went on. "On these present conditions I can
do nothing. But if you will postpone all decision as to the continuance
of your engagement a couple of months longer, and meanwhile leave Rome,
leave Italy, I will do what I can to 'help you,' as you say, in the
event of your still wishing to break it."
"I must do without your help then! Your conditions are impossible. I
will leave Rome at the time I have always intended--at the end of June.
My rooms and my mother's are taken till then; all my arrangements are
made accordingly. Then, I will depart; not before."
"You are not frank," said Rowland. "Your real reason for staying has
nothing to do with your rooms."
Roderick's face betrayed neither embarrassment nor resentment. "If I 'm
not frank, it 's for the first time in my life. Since you know so much
about my real reason, let me hear it! No, stop!" he suddenly added, "I
won't trouble you.
Pages:
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432
433
434
435
436
437
438
439
440
441
442
443