Roland Blooming Bleke,
and ask him if he's forgotten that he happens to be engaged to me.
That's all. I know it's the sort of thing that might slip any
gentleman's mind, but I thought it might be worth mentioning. So now!"
* * * * *
Roland, perspiring in the shadows at the far end of the room, felt that
Miss Chilvers was overdoing it. There was no earthly need for all this
sort of thing. Just a simple announcement of the engagement would have
been quite sufficient. It was too obvious to him that his ally was
thoroughly enjoying herself. She had the center of the stage, and did
not intend lightly to relinquish it.
"My good girl," said Lady Kimbuck, "talk less and prove more. When did
Mr. Bleke promise to marry you?"
"Oh, it's all right. I'm not expecting you to believe my word. I've got
all the proofs you'll want. Here's his letters."
Lady Kimbuck's eyes gleamed. She took the package eagerly. She never
lost an opportunity of reading compromising letters. She enjoyed them
as literature, and there was never any knowing when they might come in
useful.
"Roland," said Lady Eva, quietly, "haven't you anything to contribute
to this conversation?"
Miss Chilvers clutched at her bodice.
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